WHAT IS PET DENTAL DISEASE?
Dental or periodontal disease affects the teeth, gums and the support structures that surround your pet’s teeth. It begins with a simple plaque build-up on the tooth enamel which contain bacteria and food particles.
If the plaque is not addressed, it remains on the tooth surface and eventually hardens into tartar. When tartar is above the gum line, our veterinary team can remove it relatively easily during a professional dental cleaning.
Tartar that makes its way below the gumline is the real problem.
SIGNS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE IN PETS
Periodontal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque. It often starts with mild tooth discoloration but without regular cleaning, this plaque builds up and minerals in the saliva harden the plaque into hard tartar that is very firmly attached to the teeth. Although many owners can visibly see tartar above the gum line, this is not what causes periodontal disease. It is when tartar starts digging into and under the gums that bacteria become trapped and start a vicious cycle of infection and damage to the supporting tissues around the tooth.
- Difficulty eating
- Drooling
- Pawing at the teeth or mouth
- Discharge from the nose
- Swelling under the eyes
- Bad breath
- Tooth discoloration or visible tartar
- Loose or missing teeth
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
Here’s a guide to the various dental disease stages – consult your vet for a dental check up to determine the state of your pet’s dental health
SYMPTOMS OF A FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE ORAL CAVITY
Puppies and dogs tend to explore their world with their mouths, and they are naturally drawn to chewing on objects. This leaves them susceptible to getting objects such as splinters of bone or wood, sharp awns from grasses, hair and even fish hooks, embedded in the soft tissues of the mouth such as the gums, tongue, and cheeks.
These objects should be removed from the mouth as soon as possible as they can lead to dangerous infections and dental decay. There are several clues that there may be something embedded in the oral cavity of your pet – look out for these symptoms:
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Coughing
- Crying
- Excessive drooling
- Foul breath
- Gagging sounds
- Loss of appetite
- Pawing at the mouth
- Repeated swallowing
- Rubbing face
WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL SIGNS OF ORAL TUMOURS IN DOGS?
An oral tumour is an abnormal growth and unregulated replication of cells that occur within a pets mouth. A dog’s mouth, similar to our own, is made up of several different cell types, all of which can become cancerous. Some tumours may grow slowly and do not typically spread, meaning they are benign, whereas others are aggressive and spread elsewhere (malignant tumours). Oral tumours come in many forms and your dog’s clinical signs will depend on location of the tumour, tumour type, tumour size, and presence of spread. If you suspect that your dog could have a tumour please consult your vet immediately. Look out for these signs:
- Appear pigmented or non-pigmented
- May be nodular or cauliflower-like in appearance
- Swelling on the gums around the teeth
- Frequently break open and bleed
- May look small but may extend deeper into the tissues and bone
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY DOG HAVE HIS TEETH CLEANED?
The frequency of professional dental cleanings for your pet will depend on the success of the at-home dental care routine. Professional dog teeth cleanings should start at 1 year of age, as 80% of dogs will have some evidence of periodontal disease by the time they are 3 years. It could be as frequent as every 4 to 6 months in a dog with severe periodontal disease or only every 2 to 3 years if a dog owner has been dedicated to maintaining their dog’s dental health at home. Older or ill pets may need dental cleanings more than once a year.
THE BENEFITS OF DENTAL DOG CHEWS
Dental dog chews play an important role in your dogs dental hygiene. Those sloppy morning kisses from your furry best friend just aren’t the same if their breath smells like last night’s snack. Make the most of every affectionate moment the all-natural way with VeggieDent FR3SH – designed to target the causes of bad doggy breath by cleansing, cooling and even addressing digestive causes of halitosis.
- Ensures better oral health
- Significantly improves bad breath breath
- Effectively fights bad breath
- Effectively fights tartar and plaque
- Maintains dental hygiene
- Tasty, natural, plant-based chew
- Highly palatable
WHY USE A WATER ADDITIVE?
Part of an effective dental care routine for your pet is using water additives. Add AquaDent to your dog or cat’s drinking water for reduced plaque and tartar build-up, resulting in better oral health for longer. AquaDent will promote fresh breath and help maintain dental hygiene every time your pet takes a sip. Your pet will drink as normal and won’t refuse his water, because he won’t detect the additive.
- Reduces plaque & tartar-build up
- Ensures better oral health
- Promotes fresh breath
- Effectively fights bad breath
- Maintains dental hygiene
- Easy to administer
If you have any concerns about your pet’s dental health please consult your vet.