The Importance of Your Pet’s Dental Health and Check-Ups

By the time they are three years old, about 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will have periodontal disease. Don’t let your pet become one of these statistics. Our veterinarians at Desert East Animal Hospital in El Paso explain why good pet dental health is so important.

Preventing Stomatitis

If periodontal disease is left untreated, it becomes stomatitis. Despite the name, stomatitis has little to do with the stomach. It is an incredibly painful mouth condition where not only the tooth sockets are infected, but so are the tissues in the mouth. It becomes too painful for the pet to eat. Sometimes, the only treatment for stomatitis is to remove all of the teeth.

Helping Your Pet’s Inner Organs

Plaque and tartar cause periodontal disease. Plaque and tartar are caused by bacteria. Mouth bacteria can get into your pet’s blood and damage the inner organs, particularly the heart, liver, and kidneys. Taking care of your pet’s dental health also means taking care of your pet’s heart, liver, and kidneys.

Dry Food and Treats are Not Enough

It is a common misconception that feeding dogs and cats dry food and hard treats will keep the teeth clean. Although hard food does help scrape plaque off of the teeth, it only gets to part of the teeth. Brushing and dental cleanings by your veterinarian are the only ways to help clean all of the teeth.

Signs of Periodontal Disease in Pets

Bring your pet to the veterinarian if he or she is experiencing any of the following issues:

• Problems eating
• Eating with the head tilted to one side
• Losing weight despite seeming hungry
• Bad breath
• Red gums
• Blood coming from the mouth
• Swelling of the face
• Brushing is Important

Brushing your pet’s teeth every day or at least a few times per week helps prevent periodontal disease. Only use toothbrushes and toothpaste made specifically for pets. If you do not know how to brush your pet’s teeth, ask your veterinarian to show you how.

Contact Desert East Animal Hospital in El Paso, TX

If you have questions about caring for your pet’s teeth and live in the El Paso area, contact our veterinarians at Desert East Animal Hospital. Call our team today at 915-855-4100 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.