What do you know about dental disease in pets?

True or False-Up to 80% of pets over 3 years of age suffer from tooth and/or gum disease.
True or False-Routine dental care can increase your pet's lifespan by up to 5 years.
Multiple choice-Infections of which of the following organs can result from dental disease:
A) Liver,
B) Kidneys,
C) Heart,
D) All of the above
Well, February is Pet Dental Health Month and this is a great time to learn about dental disease and preventive care for your pets. Soread on for more information you can use to help your pet have beautiful teeth and gums AND good breath! Yes, it's true that up to 80% of pets over the age of 3 suffer from dental disease. The tooth and gums are an extremely important factor in the overall health of your pet. It's also true that routine dental care can increase your pet's lifespan by up to five years. How's that? If left unchecked, infections of the gums (periodontal disease) can lead to more serious infections of the liver, kidneys AND heart.

What are the signs and symptoms of poor oral health?

Persistent bad breath
Sensitivity around the mouth
Pawing at the mouth
Loss of appetite
Plaque and tartar
Bleeding or infected gums
Loose or missing teeth
Difficulty eating & chewing food

An oral examination by your veterinarian is the first step in determining your pet's oral health. For pets already showing signs of periodontal disease such as tartar accumulation and reddened gums, a professional dental cleaning is usually the first step. In order to do an adequate and thorough dental cleaning, general anesthesia is necessary. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is required in many cases. This helps us better assess the health of your pet, including function of the liver and kidneys.