Your dog's dental care is a critical part of not only their oral health but their general well-being too. Many dogs, however, don't actually get the dental care they need to stay as healthy as possible. Here, our Apple Valley veterinary team guides you through 5 of the reasons dog dental care is so important.
Just like people, your dog's overall health is connected with their oral health a wide variety of ways. But, just like we share that in common, we also share dental health issues like periodontal disease, tooth decay and tooth loss with our canine partners too.
If your dog experiences oral health issues, they can have a significant impact with serious consequences in the long term for your pup. Here are 5 reasons why dog dental care is so important.
Allows Your Dog To Eat Properly and Get Their Nutrition
When your dog suffers from oral health issues, they will often feel pain and discomfort.
On top of this, when dogs feel unwell, they will intentionally fast. This instinct is heightened and compounded when their mouth hurts enough to make eating painful.
If your dog is experiencing oral health issues, they may eat very slowly, or not eat at all. They won't be able to enjoy treats like bones or chews and will miss out on good nutrition and the stimulation associated with those.
Diligent dental care and vet dental cleanings will help make sure your dog is able to enjoy their favorite foods and treats throughout their life.
Preventing Oral Pain
Dental diseases, such as periodontal disease or tooth decay, can be pretty painful for your pup when they become severe enough.
This pain impacts every part of their lives. You might be able to relate if you've ever had a toothache. Severe oral pain impacts their mood, behavior and ability to enjoy life.
Diligent dental care, both professionally and at home, are key to preventing this unnecessary pain in your four-legged friend.
Preventing Bad Breath or Unpleasant Odors
If smelling the breath of your dog causes you to plug your nose or pull away from their kisses (or even apologize to other people in the room), it's a sign that some dental attention would probably go a long way.
With a healthy mouth and consistent dental care, bad breath won't be a problem for your pup and you can get all the kisses you want (without having to bear the smell).
Preventing Organ Damage
Even when your dog's oral health issues are obvious or when you have already identified and treated them with your vet, there may be long-lasting and undetectable consequences for their health in the long term.
Bacteria from your dog's mouth may spread throughout their body via their bloodstream in order to infect their internal organs if the oral health issue they experienced was serious enough. There are proven connections between oral health issues and a number of different diseases impacting dogs' internal oragns.
Routine dental care is your best bet to not only keep your pet's oral health in tip-top shape, but to prevent it from impacting their health in other ways too.
Prevent Expensive Treatments Down The Road
Routine dental care, whether that is brushing their teeth at home or bringing them into your vet for professional dental cleaning, will help your pocketbook in the long run. Oral health issues, infections and diseases are all quite expensive to manage and treat. And that isn't even taking how ill and uncomfortable they make your companion feel into the equation.
Investing the time and energy into brushing your dog's teeth, purchasing them dental chews recommended by your vet and bringing them in for professional tooth cleanings will pay off by preventing unexpected expenses down the road. These measures will also help to make sure that your dog remains healthy, happy and energetic throughout their entire life.
