Taking care of our pets means more than just feeding them, ensuring they get enough exercise, and taking them to routine wellness exams with their veterinarian. Overall health and wellness of your pet should also include pet dental treatments to fight against any form of periodontal disease, which can impact a pet’s health. Animal hospitals, such as St. Francis Hospital for Animals in Oakdale, NY, offer pet dental treatments as part of their wellness care programs for your pets.
What is pet dental disease?
Dental disease in pets refers to all conditions affecting the teeth, roots, gums, and underlying bony structures in and around the mouth. The most common pet dental disease is periodontal disease, which develops when a buildup of plaque and tartar spreads below the pet’s gumline. This condition can cause inflammation of the gums and bone loss and spread disease to the rest of the pet’s body.
What causes pet dental disease?
Pet dental disease begins when bacteria from plaque build up in the mouth and hardens as tartar on your pet’s teeth. As the disease progresses, it spreads below the gum line and can start to eat away at the jawbone, and spread bacteria throughout the entire body.
Will a pet dental cleaning help treat my pet’s bad breath?
A professional dental cleaning can help improve your pet’s breath, but it is not a permanent cure for what might be causing the bad breath. Regular tooth brushing between dental cleanings can help reduce odor-causing plaque and tartar; however, a thorough cleaning will help remove more of these items. If your pet’s bad breath worsens or remains consistent, even after a dental cleaning and regular bruising, check with your veterinarian to see if there might be an underlying condition causing your pet’s bad breath.
Will brushing my pet’s teeth at home help improve their oral health?
At-home oral hygiene treatments, such as tooth brushing using an enzymatic toothpaste, helps your pet maintain a healthy mouth in between professional dental cleanings. The ultimate goal is to prevent plaque from hardening on the teeth; however, once plaque hardens and becomes tartar, the only way to remove it is with a professional pet dental cleaning at an animal hospital.
Learn More About Pet Dental Care At An Animal Hospital In Oakdale, NY
If you still have questions about your pet’s dental care and overall health and wellness, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian at St. Francis Hospital for Animals in Oakdale, NY. We can answer all of your questions and help treat your pet’s dental care issues.
