8 Reasons to Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Teeth

There are things you can do to keep your furry friend’s teeth in great shape. Here are some reasons to find out more about dental care for pets

8 Reasons to Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Teeth
It is no secret that Americans care a lot about how their teeth look. Despite this, the majority of people do not pay enough attention to their oral health. The importance of dental care for dogs can also be easily ignored. It has been reported that when dogs reach the age of three, 80% of them have a dental (periodontal) disease. The problem extends beyond dogs, by the time they reach the age of three, 70% of cats also have some form of dental disease. The good news is that there are things you can do to keep your furry friend’s teeth in great shape. Here are some reasons to take the time to find out more about dental care for pets:

  1. Pets with clean teeth smell better! Dogs and cats can both have terrible breath. When people neglect their teeth, their breath smells terrible, too. Take care of your dog’s teeth and there will be no more “doggie breath” around your home.
  2. Dental disease can do more to hurt your pet than make their breath smell bad. When you fail to get the right dental care for dogs for your pet, you risk them developing more serious health issues such as heart disease, and issues with other organs around their bodies.
  3. Dogs and cats have baby teeth, just like people. Just like in people, these baby teeth need to come out. Dogs have 42 teeth. Cats have 30. Before their adult teeth can come in, the baby ones need to fall out. Just like in humans, this does not always happen. Neglected, this can cause a lot of problems for them and is a great reason to take your pet to a veterinarian for treatment if you see them struggling.
  4. You take care of your teeth every day. You should do the same for your dog. There are very easy ways to clean a dog’s teeth. The even better news about taking care of dogs’ teeth and adhering to the proper ways to provide dental care for dogs is easier than most people think. Unlike with human teeth, a dog’s teeth do not need to be flossed. Brushing them is more than enough to keep them in good shape. It has been reported that brushing can reach more than 90% of a dog’s teeth surfaces.
  5. Many dogs have periodontal disease. By some estimates, 90% of dogs who have reached the age of three have it in some form or another. This develops when plaque is allowed to build up. This is one of the main reasons it is important to keep up with your dog’s oral health routine. When you take your dog in for a checkup with your vet, have them give your dog’s mouth a look-see.
  6. Just like you can lose your teeth, your dog can, too. When people neglect their teeth, it is possible for them to become diseased and damaged, which can cause you to lose teeth. The same process happens in dogs whose teeth have been neglected and not properly cared for. This can cause your pet a lot of pain and lead to other, serious health issues.
  7. You may never know when your pet is in pain. This is true for dogs and cats. They are very skilled in the art of hiding the fact that they hurt somewhere. This also means you may not have any idea that your dog is having dental issues until they are very far advanced and harder to treat. It is for this reason that you have to pay attention to their oral health. Regular dental checkups can help prevent this problem.
  8. No teeth last forever. People’s teeth wear out and the same can be said for dogs and cats. Talk to your vet about the signs and symptoms of dental problems in your dog and you can do more to help them stay healthy.

Most pet owners do not blink at the idea of neutering a dog or a cat but they are not as quick to take them to a vet clinic to have their teeth looked after. Getting the right dental care for dogs for your furry friend can make a big difference in their healthy and happy.