When it comes to your dog’s health, teeth cleaning is just as vital as a good diet and frequent vet visits. According to experts, many dogs exhibit periodontal disease by the time they are three years old. Infection of the tissues that keep the teeth in place is known as periodontal disease. Bacterial infection may cause tooth loss and heart, lung, or renal problems as your dog matures.
It’s common knowledge that dogs have foul breath; therefore, owners frequently miss the first indicator of periodontal disease, which is their pet’s bad breath. Keeping your dog’s teeth and gums clean is vital to preventing periodontal disease.
Correcting Myths on Pet Dental Health
When it comes to our dogs, dental health is a topic that often confuses people. A lot of misinformation is out there regarding how to care for your pet’s teeth. Here, we’re going to dispel some of the most popular myths about pet dental health by providing the truth.
1. Bad teeth only give bad breath.
Oral disease has been connected to various systemic ailments, such as cardiovascular and hepatic illness. Dental uncontrolled conditions may spread to other organs, such as the heart and liver, if not treated. These infections may induce heart valve issues and liver inflammation. Dental diseases in diabetic animals might make it difficult to control their blood sugar levels. So, it is best to consult or book an appointment with your vet dentist to check on your pet’s oral health.
2. Dental chews or toys can replace brushing.
Even though dental chews and toys can help scrape off some of the plaque that builds up on your pet’s teeth, they can’t replace regular brushing with toothpaste made for pets. You can ensure that all of your pet’s teeth are getting cleaned by brushing them; the toothpaste has components that assist in the cleaning process. For pets that aren’t comfortable with having a toothbrush in their mouth, using some pet toothpaste and some gauze to clean their teeth may remove the vast majority of plaque.
3. Dental disease is only a problem for old pets.
According to experts, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats get dental illness by age 3. As a result, frequent oral checkups, brushing, and professional cleanings should be instituted from a young age. During your pet’s yearly checkup, your veterinarian should do a basic oral exam and advise if there is anything that needs to be taken care of. It is well known that genetics have a role in dental health; hence, even very young animals may be suffering from significant tooth disease and should be examined routinely.
Aside from your pet’s dental health, you can also ask your vet for more information and advice about other important aspects of your patient’s health like vaccinations and parasite prevention.
4. Bones are good for my pet’s teeth.
Bones, antlers, and rawhide aren’t always excellent for your pet’s teeth, despite common belief. Bones and antlers, which are particularly hard, might cause your pet’s teeth to break or chip, even though any form of chewing may assist in scraping off plaque. This may happen to any dog, but puppies and elderly dogs are at risk since their teeth aren’t as strong.
Your pet may choke on rawhide, antlers, or tiny bits of bone falling off while chewing. A stomach or intestinal puncture caused by swallowing a sharp object might be lethal.
5. An anesthesia-free dental cleaning is safe for my pet.
It’s considerably more harmful to pets to have dental treatments without it. Anxiety and squirming are almost unavoidable if your pet isn’t given an anesthetic before the procedure. Any movement, no matter how tiny, might result in significant harm or discomfort during the process.
Before the procedure, your veterinarian will run a series of tests to ensure that your pet is a good candidate for anesthesia. Your veterinarian will tell you if they think anesthesia is unsafe for your pet and recommend an alternative. To get more information about the different surgical procedures aside from dental, you can ask a reputable veterinary surgeon by typing “ veterinary surgeon near me” in your search bar.