Importance of oral care for overall health

Poor dental hygiene can lead to gum disease, loss of teeth and, if untreated, could develop into more serious conditions such as bacterial infections of the heart, lungs, liver or kidneys.

The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends that you:

Take your pet to your veterinarian for a dental assessment
Begin a dental hygiene program at home that consists of at least
brushing your pet's teeth and feeding a diet that is good for your pet’s teeth
Schedule regular dental exams for your pet

By following the 3Ds — Daily Brushing, Dentistry and Diet — you can make a huge impact on your pet’s oral health and overall health for more years of companionship.

To learn more and begin the journey for good oral health and good overall health, please read further.

Dental Development in Dogs

Birth: puppies are born without teeth
3 weeks: a full set of 28 primary teeth begin to
emerge, and then fall out over time
Between 4 and 6 months: full set of 42 permanent,
adult teeth; take your puppy to the veterinarian for his
first dental checkup

Dental Development in Cats

Birth: kittens are born without teeth
3 weeks: a full set of 26 primary teeth begin to emerge, and then fall out over time
Between 4 and 6 months: full set of 30 permanent, adult teeth; take your kitten
to the veterinarian for her first dental checkup

Plaque and Tartar

There are over 300 types of bacteria that naturally live in your pet’s mouth. When your pet eats, small food
particles and saliva combine with these bacteria to form a thin film over the teeth. This is called plaque.

Plaque is invisible to the naked, human eye, and must be dyed to be seen.

Plaque is invisible to the naked, human eye, and must be dyed to be seen.

Brushing is a way to remove plaque. However, plaque reappears after 6 hours. Over time, plaque hardens (due to calcium in your pet’s saliva) to form a hard, yellow-brown deposit on your pet’s teeth. This is called tartar. It cannot be removed by brushing. However, your veterinarian, who is your pet’s dentist, can assist in the removal of the tartar.

Without control, this plaque-to-tartar cycle can cause serious health problems for your pet that can include gingivitis, abscess, periodontitis, tooth loss, bone loss and bacterial infections of vital organs. Plaque turning into tartar is a vicious, progressive cycle. However, it can be broken by practicing the 3Ds – Daily Brushing, Dentistry and Diet.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease develops when you do not break the plaque-to-tartar cycle. If caught early, it can be corrected. If unnoticed, or untreated, it can lead to serious and life-threatening conditions. There are 4 stages of periodontal disease:

Early Gingivitis
Inflammation, or redness at the gum line, and moderate tartar buildup.

Advanced Gingivitis
Increased inflammation leading to bleeding and swelling at the gum line. Excessive tartar present and bad breath (due to bacterial buildup) begins to be noticeable.

Early Periodontitis
Gums are severely inflamed and infection is causing regression of the gum. The mouth may be painful enough to affect eating and behavior. Additionally, there is slight to moderate bone loss in the jaw.

Advanced Periodontitis
Severe gum regression plus deep pockets of infection, loose teeth and severe bone loss. Bacteria may be spreading throughout the entire body via the bloodstream and may damage the kidneys, liver and heart.

Stage 1.

Early Gingivitis

Stage 2.

Advanced Gingivitis

Stage 3.

Early Periodontitis

Stage 4.

Advanced Periodontitis

Flip your pet’s lip and check out her oral health. It is not too late to begin the journey for good oral health. If your pet shows any of these signs, contact your veterinarian. Describe which of these you have observed and follow your veterinarian’s advice. Remember, your veterinarian is your pet’s dentist.

Possible signs of
Periodontal Disease

Persistent Bad Breath
Tartar (hard, yellow-brown deposits)
Red Gums
Bleeding Gums
Discolored Teeth
Loose or Missing Teeth
Difficulty Eating or Chewing
Excessive Drooling
Pawing at the Mouth
Favoring One Side of the Mouth
Facial Swelling
Irritability
Reluctance to Chew Toys
Depression