National Pet Dental Health Month: The Importance of Oral Care
February is National Pet Dental Health Month, but you should make pet oral care a part of any pet’s wellness routine all year long.
At Curem Veterinary Care, we want pet families to understand the impact that dental hygiene for pets can have on an animal’s longevity and quality of life, so our team is here with a primer on the importance of pet dental health.
Why Pet Dental Health Matters
Regular pet oral care protects more than the teeth and gums. Without ongoing dental hygiene for pets, the bacteria in a pet’s mouth will begin to build up and contribute to painful gum (periodontal) disease. But it doesn’t stop there. Eventually, the bacteria will start to circulate through the bloodstream, wreaking havoc on a pet’s vital organs, including the kidneys, heart, and liver.
Without proper pet oral care, gum disease can take hold fairly quickly—showing up in pets as young as 3 years old. Senior pets are at an even higher risk of rapid disease progression, so it’s critical to incorporate pet dental health care as early as possible in a pet’s life.
Prevention Holds the Key
Professional pet dental check-ups form the foundation of a pet’s lifelong plan for pet dental health. With routine pet dental check-ups, we can help prevent gum disease and also detect and treat dental conditions in their early stages. We recommend annual pet dental check-ups beginning at age 1 (some larger breed dogs can wait until age 2).
When performing a comprehensive pet dental check-up, general anesthesia is necessary to allow the veterinarian to thoroughly clean and scale every tooth, take digital dental X-rays, and perform necessary extractions. Most pet insurance plans offer an option for dental health coverage.
At-home Pet Oral Care
Consistent at-home dental hygiene for pets is the perfect complement to professional pet dental check-ups. Help protect your pet’s pearly whites with the following tips for pet oral care at home:
- Brush your pet’s teeth daily (or at least a few times a week) using a toothbrush and toothpaste made just for pets. We can demonstrate brushing techniques at any pet visit.
- Serve a dental health diet that minimizes trapped food particles.
- Offer dental treats for pets.
- Use a pet dental health water additive.
Contact Us Between Visits if You Spot These Signs
In spite of the most diligent prevention, dental conditions can still arise. Contact us right away if your pet displays any of these symptoms:
- Broken or loose teeth.
- Persistently foul breath.
- Difficulty eating or chewing, or food falling out of the mouth.
- Bleeding from the gums or mouth.
- Mouth swelling or lumps.
- Reluctance to eat.
- Excessive rubbing at the mouth.
National Pet Dental Health Month is the perfect time to raise awareness for the importance of pet oral care all year long. Please contact us at (480) 787-0544 to schedule a pet dental check-up.