Our pets use their mouths for more than consuming food, including picking up objects, grooming themselves, and more. Dental disease is a common pet health issue, unfortunately, but it can be prevented.
Some of the most important steps to maintaining your pet's dental health is practicing proper dental care at home and ensuring your pet's teeth get cleaned yearly. If you live in or near Charlotte, NC, and are looking for a veterinarian near you, consider our team at the Carolinas Veterinary Medical Hospital.
Dental Problems and Symptoms
Dental issues in pets lead to pain, reduce their vitality, and can threaten their general health, leading to higher veterinary bills for their owners. Our pets are unable to communicate their dental pain to us directly or to adequately prevent dental decay by themselves, so their owners should keep an eye out for discolored teeth, bad breath, and difficulty chewing, in addition to providing preventive care.
Prevention of Dental Problems
Regular brushing of your pet's teeth may be useful to avoiding dental issues. Pets should also have their teeth brushed with toothpaste formulated for pets since human toothpaste includes ingredients that may be harmful.
Pet dental cleaning often occurs as part of an annual wellness exam and generally occur while your pet is anesthetized to reduce stress and to make it easier to operate. The veterinarian will also pay special attention to cleaning below the gum line since decay commonly occurs there.
Consequences of Bad Dental Health
In addition to pain and bad breath, your pet’s overall health may be harmed by poor dental health. If your pet’s dental disease progresses to the point of an infection, the bacteria could entire your pet’s bloodstream through the jaw and begin to devastate his health, potentially even leading to death.
Get Pet Dental Care and Veterinary Care from a Veterinarian Near You
If you live in the Charlotte, NC, area and need a veterinarian near you, we at Carolinas Veterinary Medical Hospital offer pet dental services for your pet. Call us at (704) 752-7227 to schedule your pet's next appointment. Visit us for pet dental care and veterinary care from a veterinarian near you.