How would you feel if don’t brush your teeth for a few days or a week? Unpleasant taste in your mouth and plaque would probably be more than you can tolerate. Besides, your wallet wouldn’t feel good after spending hundreds of dollars on getting your oral health back in shape. Now think about your pet’s mouth without proper dental care. The most straightforward answer is dental disease.

What’s dental disease?

Also known as periodontal disease, dental disease refers to the inflammation of gums and teeth caused by plaque buildup. Plaque is made up of bacteria, food particles, and saliva. It sticks to the surface of the pet’s teeth, and if not removed, it calcifies into tartar. Approximately 80 percent of dogs and cats over the age of three suffer from dental disease.

Common signs of dental disease

Periodontal disease, including periodontitis and gingivitis, usually develop whenever tartar and plaque accumulate underneath the pet’s gums. This condition is potentially painful, and in the worst cases, it could cost your furry buddy his teeth. Here are the common signs of dental disease in pets.

• Discolored teeth
• Excessive drooling
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Inflamed or blood-stained gums
• Facial swelling
• Pain when handled around the head
• Pawing at the mouth
• Receding gums
• Behavioral changes such as increased aggression and lethargy
• Reluctance to chew or dropping food from the mouth when eating

Consult with an expert in pet dental care

If you are a pet parent, you want your animal to have a healthy mouth. Here’s why proper dental care for your pets is critical to their health.

Prevent tooth loss: When gums and other structures that support an animal’s teeth become infected or damaged, there’s a good chance the teeth will loosen and fallout. Proper dental care for pets will ensure infections are treated early enough, and those teeth-supporting tissues stay healthy.

Prevent halitosis or bad breath: If a whiff of your pet’s breath makes your nose hair curl, you need to visit a reputable pet care facility for reliable dental care services. If your pet has healthy teeth and mouth, bad breath will not be a problem.

Prevent pain: Periodontal disease, particularly when it’s severe, can be very painful for pets. An expert in pet health can help you keep your pet’s gums and teeth healthy and prevent oral pain.

Professional pet teeth cleaning could prevent periodontal disease in dogs and other pets. An expert can help brush your pet’s teeth and recommend other methods of keeping your dog’s teeth healthy. These include dental diets, treat & chews, dental toys, and more.