Poor dental hygiene can put your pet’s overall health at risk and, in the end, prove to be quite costly to treat. If left untreated, poor oral care can put your pet at risk for periodontist or heart disease. An analysis conducted by 
Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. showed that the average cost per pet to prevent dental disease is just one-third of the average cost of treating advanced dental disease.
How to determine if your pet needs oral care.
Periodontal disease is the most common preventable disease affecting dogs and cats. Pets over the age of three already have some level of periodontal disease, but the severity of disease depends on age, genetics, and at-home oral care. The most common signs that owners notice include bad breath, swelling of the face, and discomfort when eating, but most owners don’t recognize when their pet needs a dental. Here are the warning signs that dental disease may already be underway:
- Red swollen gums
- Bad breath (similar to the smell of a rotten egg)
- Teeth that are broken, loose, discolored or covered in tartar
- Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Shying away from you when you touch the mouth area
- Frequent pawing or rubbing at the face and/or mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Weight loss
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important that you reach out to your family veterinarian to schedule an appointment right away.
You scheduled an appointment. What’s next?
A dental cleaning may be recommended to remove tartar buildup and to assess the complete health of each tooth. This is generally performed under general anesthesia and will include a comprehensive oral examination, dental radiographs, scaling and polishing. In some cases, it is necessary to extract teeth that are diseased or broken. Your veterinarian will make this recommendation based on the oral examination and dental radiographs.
After the dental cleaning, your veterinarian will also show you how to brush your pet’s teeth in between exams. Brushing is the single most effective thing you can do to keep your pet’s teeth healthy between dental cleanings.
Beyond healthy teeth and gums
Good dental care is also essential to the pet’s overall general health. Untreated periodontal disease can spread to other parts of the body such as the brain, the heart, and abdominal organs. Therefore, an annual exam, including a dental exam, can help detect hidden health problems before they become more serious.
