As people, we are constantly told how important it is for us to pay attention to our dental health. Most of us know to schedule a dental appointment at least once a year to avoid any future problems. However, many pet owners are unaware that dental care for their pets is just as important. Millions of pet owners across the United States fail to take their dog or cat to the vet for an annual dental health checkup. It is surprising to learn how many pets across the country have not been to their local vet for several years or more. Many of these pets are in danger of suffering from tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease and a range of heart problems because of this lack of preventative care. Keep reading to discover our top reasons why dental health is so important for pets.
1. Help Your Pet Avoid Periodontal Disease
One of the main reasons why dental health is important for your dog or cat is to help him or her avoid periodontal disease. If plaque accumulates on your pet’s teeth, it can harden and turn into tartar when left untreated. A pet dentist from our Phoenix Veterinary Center team can easily remove tartar at this stage. However, once tartar moves below the gum line, it can cause severe inflammation and gum infection. This can ultimately lead to gingivitis, resulting in your pet losing his or her teeth. Gingivitis is typically the first stage of gum disease and has the potential to develop into a more serious periodontal disease. Therefore, it is essential that you take care of your pet’s dental health as soon as possible and schedule an annual pet checkup. You can learn more about what to expect during your pet’s health checkup by visiting the following page.
2. Prevent Unnecessary Organ Damage
Preventing unnecessary organ damage is another reason dental health is so important for your pet. The bacteria that causes plaque buildup can enter your dog or cat’s bloodstream. This could cause a range of problems including heart, liver and/or kidney failure. Therefore, it is important for you to focus on your pet’s dental care and make sure he or she is not displaying any dangerous symptoms. Unfortunately, pets often hide when they are sick, so it is difficult to know when they are suffering. You should do everything in your power to prevent your pet from experiencing pain, including scheduling a dental health checkup with a veterinary clinic that has a large number of positive testimonials.
3. Reverse the Tooth Decay Process
If left untreated, the structures that support your pet’s teeth can start to decay. Over time, this can cause your dog or cat’s teeth to loosen significantly or fall out. This will make it extremely difficult for him or her to chew and can ultimately suppress his or her appetite, resulting in malnutrition and a range of other health concerns. By making your pet’s dental care a high priority, you can help reverse the tooth decay process and keep his or her teeth-supporting structures strong and healthy. If possible, you should start addressing your pet’s dental health as soon as possible. It may be too late to reverse the damage once he or she advances in age.
4. Help Eliminate Bad Breath
Have you ever gotten a whiff of your dog or cat’s breath? Was it absolutely horrendous? If so, then this could be a sign that he or she has bacteria building up inside the mouth. It is important to regularly clean your dog or cat’s teeth to prevent bacteria from building up and causing that awful odor to appear. You can ask a dentist for some at-home tips to manage your pet’s oral health during an annual health checkup.
5. Save You Time, Stress & Money
In addition to helping eliminate bad breath, scheduling an annual dog or cat teeth cleaning can save you time, stress and money. By engaging in preventative health measures, a veterinarian at the Phoenix Veterinary Center can help identify and/or prevent plaque from building up and hardening into tartar. This can ultimately protect your pet from experiencing fatal organ damage and save your pet from having to undergo an expensive and stressful procedure. In other words, working on your pet’s dental health now will save you a lot of time, stress and money and allow you to enjoy him or her for many years to come.
Schedule a Health Checkup With Our Pet Dental Care Experts!
Are you looking to protect your pet’s dental health and keep him or her from experiencing unnecessary pain? If so, then get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment. At the Phoenix Veterinary Center, we take pride in helping ensure the health and happiness of every pet that enters our door. We offer a range of payment options and will do our best to give your pet the best care at an affordable cost. Call us today at (602) 559-500 to learn more about our Phoenix animal hospital.
