Healthy Foods to Give Your Pets

Posted on: 9 December 2016

If you have a dog, you probably understand the importance of yearly veterinarian checkups, but did you realize that getting dental work completed is also vital for a dog? Many people do not realize how important oral health is for their pets, and here are three important things you should know about this.

Why Oral Health Is Important For Your Dog

The teeth inside your dog's mouth can experience the same types of problems as your teeth. The difference is that your dog cannot brush its teeth each day like you. Because of this, a dog can experience cavities, gum disease, and other oral issues faster than you think. Providing your dog with oral care services will not only help prevent issues from happening, but this could also protect your dog in other ways.

Studies show that oral issues can lead to heart problems in dogs, and they may lead to problems with other body parts, such as the liver. In addition, oral issues can leave a dog with really bad breath. Oral issues may also make it harder for your dog to eat its food, and they may even cause your dog to experience pain.

The Services That Are Needed

While your dentist probably recommends coming in every six months for an examination, your dog really only needs an examination once each year, and this can usually be completed by a veterinarian during a regular annual checkup.

If your dog has any issues, or if the dog's teeth contain a lot of plaque or tartar, the vet may recommend cleaning the dog's teeth. To do this, the vet will need to use anesthesia to put the dog to sleep. Once it is done, the dog's teeth will be cleaner and healthier. Your dog will also be at a lower risk for developing gum disease and other issues with its teeth.

If your dog has any cavities or rotten teeth, the vet may recommend extracting the teeth or filling them with dental fillings.

Times You Should Be Concerned

If you have not had any dental work completed on your dog, the following signs may alert you that your dog needs dental work:

• Really bad breath
• Missing or broken teeth
• Problems eating
• Bleeding or swelling in the dog's mouth

If you notice any of these things, you should contact a full-service pet clinic as soon as possible. Your dog may have some dental issues, and a vet can help you with these. To learn more, contact a pet clinic, such as Evergreen Veterinary Clinic, today.