Just like humans, our pets need to take care of their teeth. Good dental health is essential for our pets’ overall well-being and can prevent many health problems.

Dental disease is common in animals; it is now known that 80% of animals over the age of 3 have clinically significant dental diseases. While regular tooth brushing is the best way to prevent dental disease, many pet owners don’t realise that it’s just as important for their pet’s dental health as it is for their own.

This blog post will explore why dental health is important for our furry friends and how we can best care for their teeth.

Reasons Why Dental Health Is Important for Our Pets

Brushing Dog's Teeth

Pet dental health is extremely important for our pets for a variety of reasons. Not only does proper dental care help to prevent tooth loss and keep their breath fresh, but it can also prevent oral pain and protect other areas of their body from damage. Additionally, poor dental health can contribute to worsening dental disease over time if not addressed properly.

Preventing Tooth Loss

Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth is one of the most important steps to help prevent tooth loss. It can be done at home or by taking them to a vet for a professional dental cleaning. In addition, making sure that your pet is eating the right foods that promote healthy teeth and gums is also key.

Some good options include hard kibble or large raw bones, which help to keep plaque and tartar from building up on the tooth surface. By taking these steps, we can ensure our pets stay healthy and enjoy happy, pain-free lives well into their golden years.

Preventing Bad Breath (Halitosis)

To prevent bad breath in our pets – or halitosis – we must be mindful of their overall health and well-being. It includes ensuring that our pets get the proper nutrients in their diet and plenty of fresh water daily.

In addition, regular checkups with our veterinarian can help to detect potential issues with your pet’s oral health in the early stages, such as accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, which can lead to oral pain or damage to other organs if left untreated.

These steps can help keep our dog’s teeth and/or pets’ mouths clean and healthy, protecting them against halitosis and other serious health problems.

Preventing Oral Pain

Oral pain and discomfort are common side effects of dental disease, and preventing these issues by avoiding poor dental hygiene is key to maintaining your pet’s health. Dental cleanings are one of the most effective preventative measures for dealing with this issue. During these procedures, a professional will clean your pet’s teeth thoroughly, removing any plaque or tartar that has built up on their tooth surfaces.

Additionally, surface treatments such as fluoride can also help strengthen teeth against cavities and decay. Overall, maintaining good pet oral hygiene is essential for preventing oral pain and ensuring that they enjoy optimal health throughout their lives.

Preventing Organ Damage

Not only does a dental disease have serious consequences for your pet’s comfort, but it can also lead to organ damage if left untreated. Gum disease, decay, and infection can all cause inflammation in the body, which can be detrimental to an animal’s overall well-being.

To prevent this, you must take steps to protect your pet’s teeth and gums. It might involve having regular professional dental cleanings performed by a veterinarian or choosing specialised pet dental products such as toothpaste or mouthwash.

By investing time and effort into keeping your pet’s teeth clean and healthy, you can rest assured that they will stay happy and healthy for years to come.

Preventing Worsening Dental Disease

Just as with humans, if dental problems are left untreated, they can cause significant damage and even lead to other health issues.

One of the big reasons that dental disease is so prevalent in pets is that many pet owners fail to recognise the signs. Dental problems do not usually manifest as obvious pain or discomfort, and many pet owners don’t realise that their pet is experiencing any oral issues.

The key to preventing worsening dental disease in your pet is understanding the importance of good oral health and recognising the early signs of potential issues. Taking care of your pet’s teeth by providing proper nutrition, avoiding certain foods that may be harmful and engaging in regular brushing will help keep your pet’s mouth healthy for years to come.

Doing so can help prevent dental disease from causing permanent damage or leading to other severe health complications for your beloved companion.

Benefits of a Dental Procedure

Cleaning Teeth Of Dog

There are numerous benefits to undergoing a dental procedure for your pet.

  • First, a thorough clean of the teeth and below the gum line helps to eliminate harmful bacteria that can cause periodontal disease and gum recession. Careful scaling and polishing ensure that plaque and calculus are removed while preserving the integrity of the teeth.
  • Additionally, a dental procedure can help to slow down or prevent tooth loss, allowing your pet to keep their teeth for longer.
  • Furthermore, regular dental procedures can identify teeth or gums needing further treatment or extraction, reducing the risk of pain or infection.
  • Finally, removing foul-smelling plaque and tartar below the gum line will significantly improve your pet’s breath after the procedure.

Overall, undergoing a dental procedure is an effective way to take care of your pet’s oral health and well-being.

What to Expect From a Dental Day Procedure

When it comes to dental care for pets, one of the most common procedures is a dental day procedure. This type of dental procedure is done under general anaesthesia, during which full-mouth x-rays are taken. A thoroughly clean of the teeth and gums is also done. If problems are identified with specific teeth during this process, you will be contacted while your pet is still under anaesthesia to discuss these issues.

Depending on the nature of these problems, the vet may proceed with tooth extraction. It will typically be done after getting your consent beforehand. If a staged procedure is necessary, another day may be scheduled to deal with any problem teeth identified.

Once your pet has finished the dental procedure and is ready to go home, the vet will review their x-ray images with you and create a plan for ongoing dental care. Overall, a dental day procedure is an effective way to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy and free from disease.

Conclusion

There are many good reasons to take care of your pet’s teeth. Not only will it help keep your beloved pet healthy, but it can also help prevent pain and discomfort caused by periodontal disease and other dental problems.

Keeping your pet’s teeth clean and healthy ensures they have a long and happy life. For example, by brushing your pet’s teeth regularly, you will reduce their risk of developing painful cavities and infection in the mouth. In addition, regular dental care can help stave off more serious health problems that might arise from poor oral health.

About Chatswood Veterinary Clinic

Dog Vet

Chatswood Veterinary Clinic provides a wide range of services for our companion animals in a caring and loving environment, including veterinary dentistry services.

We strive to work as a team with you to provide the care you want and need for your pet, from wellness programmes to diagnostics and treatment of complex disorders, often with the collaboration of specialists and specialist facilities.

If you’d like more information about our clinic, don’t hesitate to contact us today with all your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Dental Disease?

Dental disease is a serious health concern for pets, affecting their teeth, gums, and overall well-being.

There are two main types of dental disease: periodontal disease and advanced periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the most common form of poor oral hygiene. This condition can have many negative effects, including gum inflammation, gingivitis, and tooth loss.

By contrast, advanced periodontal disease is much more severe and can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms include severe dental calculus build-up, mouth ulcers, facial swelling, difficulty eating and drinking, and neurological issues.

While both conditions require immediate treatment from a veterinarian to prevent serious complications or death, there are many steps that pet owners can take to help keep their pets’ teeth healthy and avoid these problems altogether. These include regular brushing and flossing and veterinary checkups at least twice yearly.

Your pet’s teeth can stay healthy for years with proper care and attention.

What Are Signs of Dental Disease in Animals?

Dental disease may not present any obvious signs of illness in its early stages. However, as it progresses, there are several tell-tale symptoms to watch out for.

  • For example, discoloured teeth or bad breath often indicate that plaque and tartar have built up on the animal’s teeth.
  • In addition, inflamed or bleeding gums may indicate that gingivitis or another periodontal disease has developed.
  • Other common signs include loose or missing teeth, excessive drooling, blood in the water bowl or on chew toys, irritability towards people or other pets in the household, and favouring one side of the mouth while chewing.

If you notice these signs in your pet, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for saving your animal’s teeth and improving its overall health.

How Often Should Dogs Get Their Teeth Cleaned?

When it comes to taking care of your dog’s teeth and overall dental health, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some dogs need their teeth cleaned more often, while others only require professional cleaning once or twice yearly. Generally speaking, the best approach is to follow the recommendations provided by your veterinarian, who can provide personalised guidance based on your dog’s individual needs.

At What Age Should I Stop Getting My Dogs Teeth Cleaned?

There is no definitive age at which dogs should stop cleaning their teeth. Some experts recommend that dogs be brought in for dental cleanings once they reach adulthood, typically around 1-2 years old. However, having your dog’s teeth cleaned depends on several factors, including their oral health and overall health status.

For seniors who may be more susceptible to certain dental and other health conditions, regular cleanings are particularly important to minimise their risk of developing painful dental issues or suffering from negative side effects of poor oral health. Additionally, as dogs age, their bodies undergo various changes, increasing the risk of complications during anaesthesia. Therefore, owners must consider these factors when deciding whether or not it is still appropriate to have their ageing pooch get their teeth cleaned by a professional dental care provider.

Ultimately, the best thing you can do as an owner is to work closely with your vet to assess your dog’s individual needs and determine the right time to stop scheduling regular cleanings. With good preventive care and close monitoring, you can keep your pup’s mouth healthy and ensure they stay free of painful dental problems well into old age.

Is It Ever Too Late to Start Brushing Dogs Teeth?

There is a common misconception that it is too late to start brushing your dog’s teeth if you have never done so before.

However, this is not true. As long as your dog’s teeth are healthy, there is no reason why you cannot begin this habit now. After all, the ideal start is when our pets are young, and their teeth are still developing.

However, even if you have waited until later in your dog’s life to start brushing its teeth, it is not too late to reap the benefits of this habit. Brushing their teeth regularly can help to prevent tartar build-up and gum disease, which can lead to even more serious health issues down the line.

So if you want to keep your dog healthy and happy, don’t hesitate to start brushing their teeth today. Your pet will thank you for it!