Dental Care in Dogs and Cats IPet Type Dog Issue General Health 80% of all dogs and cats over the age of 3 have some degree of dental disease. It is a hugely common condition, which can be prevented by simple home care. Without treatment dental problems can cause sore mouths, rotten teeth and even spread infection to other places in the body. What is dental disease? - Dental disease is a very variable condition, it can range of a mild build up of plaque or gingivitis, to a large amount of tartar, rotten tooth roots and painful mouths.
- The bacteria that live under the tartar can spread through the body and cause damage to internal organs, so it is not just a mouth problem.
- It is very common, 80% of all dogs and cats over the age of 3 suffer from some form of dental disease.
- It is a totally preventable condition, by feeding good quality foods and cleaning your pet's teeth regularly, you can ensure your pet doesn't suffer.
What are the symptoms of dental disease? - The symptoms of dental disease are variable, depending on how severe it is, but they include;
- Smelly Breath (halitosis) - not all doggy breath is inevitable!
- Sore or inflamed gums
- Plaque build up, this is a yellow build up on the smooth white enamel of the teeth.
- Tartar - this comes after the plaque, it is a hard, greeny-brown build up on the teeth.
- Mouth pain - it is not always obvious that our pets are in pain with their mouths, but dental problems are definitely painful.
The pain from sore gums and rotten teeth is chronic ( there all the time), so it generally doesn't stop our pets from eating, but it can make them irritable and reluctant to be handled around the mouth.
Just because your pet is eating, does not mean they are not in pain!
How does dental disease progress?
- The build up of plaque is the first thing in dental disease. It only takes 2 days before the plaque will reach toxic levels and start attacking the gums.
- This is why dental care is so important, and why introducing it from a very young age is also vital.
- Once the plaque as formed on the teeth, the smooth surface of the enamel has been covered, which means that the plaque can build up on itself, like rings on a tree.
- Eventually the plaque progresses to tartar. Plaque is very soft, and can be easily removed by brushing or chews, but tartar is very hard, like concrete, and therefore chews or brushing are less successful.
- Both plaque and tartar will cause the gums to become inflamed and painful. This is called gingivitis.
- Gingivitis is reversible with dental care, but if left it will progress to periodonitis which is irreversible.
- Gingivitis causes the gums to become detached from the teeth, this means bacteria can get into the root of the tooth and cause it to rot. This is periodontitis and causes irreversible damage.
- Bacteria can live on and behind the tartar and plaque. Not only does this cause bad breath (halitosis), but is also will slowly destroy the teeth, causing the roots to rot, be very sore, and eventually the tooth will drop out.
- These bacteria can also spread through the blood stream to other areas in the body. They can put great strain on the heart, liver or kidneys, and cause permanent damage. So, dental disease does not just cause problems in the mouth!
 |  | This dog has significant plaque build up but only minor tartar. These teeth could be cleaned by brushing and diet changes.
| This dog has a large tartar build up on the teeth and infection is present around that tartar. These teeth need cleaning under an anaesthetic. They will be painful and the infection may spread through the body.
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