Just like humans, dogs need their teeth professionally cleaned by the veterinary dentist from time to time. Tartar and plaque are formed by food particles and bacteria and dogs develop tartar and plaque on their teeth just like humans. The best way to get rid of plaque from the teeth of your dog is to simply brush its teeth daily with a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. The general recommendation is to take your dog to the veterinary dental specialist yearly and combine it with at-home dental care in between.
For affordable pet dental care, visit Safarivet as they provide the best veterinary services for your pets.
Symptoms of dental disease
Make sure you look out for these signs: deposits may build up on the teeth, damaged and bleeding gums, smelly mouth, the sensitive root of the tooth may be exposed and painful, discolored teeth, and difficulty eating. When my dog has some of these symptoms, I had no option but to contact a veterinary dentist near me.
What happens if you don’t clean dogs’ teeth?
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Bad breath:
When periodontal disease progresses,bad breath comes along with it. A diseased tooth would often smell across a room. Failure to brush the teeth of your dog will lead to plaque buildup and also put your dog at risk for bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay, and most likely painful infections. These infections are not just painful, they can also be very severe and potentially life-threatening.
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Pain:
Sore gums and loose teeth can cause your dog a lot of pain. Abscesses and infections cause chronic long-term pain that you the pet owner may even be unaware of. There have been situations where dog owners noticed that their dogs suddenly became more playful, cheerful, and energetic after a dental procedure is performed on a pet with an infected tooth and the infection is removed.
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Tooth loss:
It is in the dogs’ best interest that bacteria does not find its way under the gum because once it does, the tissues supporting the teeth and the bone are slowly eaten away. An abscess can form at the roots of the teeth causing them to become loose and eventually fall out. This can be excruciatingly painful and most pets might need to get multiple extractions when getting their teeth cleaned. In extreme cases, some dogs end up with no teeth remaining especially if it is left until it is too late.
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Dental Disease Sets Off Your Dog’s Immune System:
Periodontal disease starts under the gumline with a substance called plaque, which is made up of bacteria.
When the dental disease is severe, it is very likely that bacteria from the teeth may enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body.
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Increased risk of heart disease:
Dental diseases can cause the heart and the liver to develop inflammation and there is scientific research linking periodontal diseases to cardiopulmonary diseases like endocarditis.
