Your pets give you a million reasons to smile—why shouldn’t you do the same?
Fido, man’s best friend, our fur babies—whatever nickname you want to give your pet, one thing is for certain: they mean the world to you. They are your loyal companion and trusty sidekick. They seem to instantly cheer you up just by greeting you at the door or snuggling up with you on the couch. Pets offer us a lifetime of memories, so it’s important that we offer them something in return. Make sure they live a long and healthy life (so you can keep creating memories) by ensuring they maintain good dental health.
You might be wondering why your pet’s smile is so important. However, if you consider how much stock you put into your smile, you’ll soon realize that you and your pet aren’t much different. At our Oak Park office, we’ll tell you how to properly examine your pet’s teeth to pinpoint dental changes before they become full-blown problems.
At your next visit, we’ll address a variety of dental issues:
Periodontal disease
You aren’t the only one who can develop gum disease. Your faithful pet can, too! By the age of two, most dogs and cats already have some dental plaque buildup. This buildup, along with bacteria, can cause infections within the gums. Chronic bad breath can often be a sign that your pet has some form of gum disease or at least some nasty bacteria.
Just like with humans, untreated gum disease can wreak havoc in a pet’s mouth. This will often lead to teeth extractions, which will only make it more challenging for your pet to eat. Eating challenges means that it could make it harder for your pet to get the nutrients he/she needs to maintain a healthy body. By checking your pet’s teeth on a regular basis, you can ensure that their gums stay disease-free.
Complications
While good oral hygiene in your pet can prolong his/her life, bad oral hygiene can have the opposite affect. If your dog or cat has an unhealthy mouth, this will affect other organs like the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys. And if your pet already suffers from a preexisting condition or disease, this will only aggravate the problem more.
So what can you do to help your pet maintain healthy teeth and gums?
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Visiting your pet’s veterinarian regularly. We’ll answer any questions you have and provide a thorough examination.
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Buy a veterinarian-approved pet toothpaste (don’t use human toothpaste!), which your pet can swallow safely.
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Purchase bones or chew toys to help fight plaque and tartar buildup.
- Find pet food that touts dental benefits.
Call Oak Park Animal Hospital Today!
If it’s time to schedule your pet’s next dental cleaning, then give us a call at (708) 383-5542. Are you a patient of Oak Park Animal Hospital? If so, we would love to hear about your experiences below!