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Does Your Pet Have Teeth?
If you can answer “yes” to this question, your pet needs regular dental care. Yes, even your pet can’t escape the “dentist’s” chair. She doesn’t get to swish and have the cool bib wrapped around her neck, but she does need regular care.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some sign of oral disease by the age of three.
You can help to keep your pet’s teeth healthy by:
- Having professional dental exam and care provided by your veterinarian
- Providing dental care at home based on your vet’s recommendations
- Maintaining regular professional check ups
- Treating any symptoms quickly
Symptoms of Dental Problems
If your pet is displaying any of the following symptoms, please seek professional dental care:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Broken or missing teeth
- Changes in eating (usually decreasing)
- Chewing habits
- Depression
- Gum issues – red or swollen or painful (gingivitis, periodontal disease)
- Nasal discharge
- Pawing at the face or mouth
- Swelling or tearing below one eye
- Weight loss
- Yellow teeth
Why is Dental Health So Important?
Dental health also affects other parts of the body. Plaque which is made up of bacteria, saliva and cellular debris builds up on the enamel of the teeth. When combined with food particles, it becomes calcified and is now tartar. Tartar can lead to tooth decay and other oral diseases if not treated. In addition, it can cause a bacterial infection which then travels through the blood to other vital organs and can result in serious illness and even death.
Domestic cats are very susceptible to Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions. In fact, these painful lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats. Some studies report that 60% of cats over 6 years of age have at least one.
In addition to regular exams, you may want to ask your veterinarian about food or chew toys that may aid in your pet’s oral health.
Did You Know?
- Puppies have 28 “baby” teeth that appear around 3 to 4 weeks of age
- Dogs have 42 “adult” teeth that begin to appear around 4 months of age
- Kittens have 26 “baby” teeth that appear around 2 to 3 weeks of age
- Cats have 30 “adult” teeth that appear around 3 to 4 months of age
Sources: PetDental.com; American Veterinary Dental Society (http://www.avds-online.org/resources.html); Banfield.net