Dental Disease is 5x More Likely in Dogs than Humans
Symptoms to Look Out For
1. Decreased appetite
2. Unwillingness to eat hard food
3. Drooling
4. Bad breath
5. Plaque or tartar build up on teeth
6. Swollen, red or bleeding gums
7. Missing or broken teeth
8. Weight loss
9. Pawing at mouth
Dental Disease – The Most Common, Preventable Disease
Dental work for dogs is the most easily preventable disease that we can help our dogs avoid. In recent years, our understanding of dental disease and care has increased.
Much like human, dental work is extremely important not only for the aesthetic smile of our dogs, but also for their holistic health.
Dogs Have Cavities and Plaque Too!
It’s really like the same issues you deal with. Food particles and bacteria can collect along the gum line, forming plaque. After the plaque forms it starts to mineralize and can lead to the development of tTartar. This can lead to things like gingivitis and tooth decayextractions.
If untreated, dogs can suffer from periodontal disease
Dental Disease Can Lead to Heart and Other Internal Organ Diseases
Bacteria from plaque build up can enter the bloodstream and be carried throughout the body. Studies show that dental disease is associated with diseases in the heart, liver and kidneys.
Not to mention, dental problems can make eating and day to day life for dogs extremely painful!
Factors for Dental Disease
A number of factors to look out for when it comes to dental disease:
Age: By the age of 3, most dogs show some evidence of dental disease (reference)
Breed: Small breed and flat nose dogs are at greater risk (small breeds are more prone to dental disease and flat nose dogs more prone to bad breath)
Food: Hard food is better than soft food at keeping plaque from accumulating in dogs
There are a variety of factors that can lead to dental disease, however the factors above are what you should pay special attention to.
