Poor Oral Hygiene Dangerous for Pets

Poor oral hygiene in pets is associated with a number of health risks. The main risk is that pets will develop periodontal disease, which causes the gums to become extremely unhealthy. Unhealthy gums can result in loose or sore teeth, and difficulty eating. Further, consistent poor oral hygiene in pets that results in periodontal disease can affect the major organs of the body.
Poor oral hygiene in pets is more serious than most pet owners know. Roughly 70-80 percent of cats and dogs develop periodontal disease by the time they are three years old. That’s a significant figure, especially, since poor oral hygiene is also linked to shorter life span.
The first stage of poor oral hygiene in pets is accumulation of plaque, called gingivitis, near the gums. This can be treated, but animals will likely require teeth cleaning, with anesthesia in order to scrape off the plaque. One might note signs of gingivitis by examining an animal’s mouth. One will see a red line along the teeth instead of the bright pink color that signifies a healthy mouth.
Gingivitis is actually a bacterial infection. When left untreated, the bacteria begin to move under the gum line, where they infect the teeth at their roots. This is periodontal disease, and it has numerous symptoms. These include bad breath, excessive drooling, yellow or brown tartar deposits on the teeth, angry red gums, and loose or missing teeth.
Periodontal disease is not curable, but it can be treated. Treatment will generally involve extractions of teeth that have become severely infected, regular cleaning appointments, and antibiotics as needed to help reduce infection. Untreated, infection can enter the blood stream where it can cause damage to the liver, heart, and kidneys.
Poor oral hygiene in pets can be forestalled with a few steps. Dry food is always best for cats and dogs. Wet food and people food actually helps plaque develop more quickly. Dry food, conversely, should keep a pet's teeth from developing significant plaque.
Further, one can address poor oral hygiene in pets by making tooth brushing part of their lives. This can be challenging with an older animal that is not used to it. Tooth brushing habits should start early, using a bit of gauze to wipe the teeth, so the pet gets used to you exploring its mouth.
Once the pet has this down, buy a pet size toothbrush, and pet toothpaste. Do not use people toothpaste as this can make your pet sick. Try to brush at least once a week. Ideally to really combat poor oral hygiene in pets, one should brush three to five times a week.
If your pet really refuses brushing, there are now some products, which can be added to the pet’s water. These help reduce plaque build-up. These have no odor and color, and may be a good way to go for the pet that fights through brushing attempts. Pet biscuits can also be a great way to combat poor oral hygiene in pets because they also help the teeth shed plaque build up.
If you notice signs of poor oral hygiene in your pets, be certain to visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. It is better to get an early start on combating the issue, rather than allowing your pet’s health to deteriorate.