Just like us, dental health significantly impacts the overall health of our pets. Poor oral hygiene can lead to issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, and even systemic infections affecting organs like the heart and kidneys.

Pets commonly suffer from dental issues such as plaque and tartar buildup, gingivitis, periodontal disease, fractured teeth, and oral tumors.

Regular dental care is crucial. This includes daily brushing with pet-specific toothpaste and toothbrushes, dental diets and treats designed to reduce plaque and tartar, and regular dental check-ups.

Pets require periodic professional dental cleanings under anesthesia using an ultrasonic scaler to clean above and below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar buildup. These cleanings also allow for a thorough examination of the teeth and gums. Dental X-rays are also important to assess the health of the teeth below the gum line and can detect serious problems that are not visible with visual inspection.

Dental disease does not always have overt signs, however, bad breath, reluctance to eat hard food, pawing at the mouth, drooling excessively, or bleeding from the mouth could indicate a dental problem that needs attention.