Why Should You Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Cleaned?

For many people, brushing their pet’s teeth is some kind of one-off necessity or quirk and not knowing dental hygiene is actually very important for dogs. The fact that domestic animals suffer a lot from dental diseases is a clear sign that they actually deserve better oral hygiene.

Today’s pets eat artificial food and many times consume human food that is not good for them. All of this can increase their chances of developing an oral infection and diseases.

Here are some reasons you should take care of your dog’s teeth and clean them as thoroughly as possible.

1. Periodontal disease

Even if their owners don’t know, up to 80% of dogs and cats suffer from periodontal disease by the age of 2. This means their gums are swollen and affect the way they support the teeth and also generate pain. This can be prevented by practicing regular oral hygiene checkups.

2. Plaque

Even though dogs and cats are very different from us, the way their teeth are composed and how bacteria attacks them is exactly the same. Layers and layers of plaque accumulate on our pet’s teeth and decay them with time. If you want to improve your dog’s lifetime, brushing their teeth is a good start.

3. Consequences of periodontal disease combined with plaque

A swollen gum is very delicate and vulnerable to tiny wounds. These wounds open a direct path for bacteria to get to the blood system and affect our pets. If plaque is dominating the animal’s mouth, possibilities for more serious illness appear. Plaque can get to your little pup’s heart and kidneys, affecting their daily functioning and threatening your pet’s life. Serious stuff.

4. Other diseases caused by plaque accumulation

If we allow plaque to accumulate on our dog’s teeth during a lifetime, chances are that they’ll start losing their teeth even if they’re not too old yet. Plaque accumulation damages the bone structure and generates gingivitis (infection of the gums) which is, put simply, extremely painful. Keeping your dog’s teeth clean will prevent this.

5. Many breeds are predisposed to teeth problems

Especially small breeds such as Yorkies, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas have delicate gums which are naturally vulnerable to suffer from periodontal disease from a young age.

If you can attest to any of the above, it’s time to take your pet to the vet. Like humans, we only have one set of teeth and it’s important to take care of build up, tartar, plaque and yes — bad breath. After you’ve booked an appointment for your pet, make one for yourself. Zentist helps out of pocket patients get the dental care they deserve at an affordable cost.