Dental Health Month

February Is National Pet Dental Health Month

Your pet’s bad breath could be more than a smelly annoyance; it might signify a serious health risk with the potential to damage not only the animal's teeth and gums but its internal organs as well.
To address the significance of oral health care for pets, several veterinary groups are sponsoring National Pet Dental Health Month in February. Sponsors include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, American Veterinary Dental College and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.
According to the AVDS, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three, often indicated by bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face and mouth and depression. Besides causing receding gums and tooth loss, the infection may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys.
"Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets," said Dr. Henry Childers, DVM, president of the AVMA. "Just as the public has come to realize that their own oral health is linked to their overall health, veterinarians want people to understand that dental health care is essential to maintaining the overall health and well-being of the family pet."
Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formulations on the tooth, which turns to tartar. If not removed from the teeth, pockets of infection may appear along the gum line, separating the teeth from the gum. If untreated, this disease, called periodontitis, can lead to tooth loss and the infection caused by the disease may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys.

Schedule your pet's annual dental treatment today!