Pet Dental Care
Regular dental care for your pet is about more than simply fresh breath and white teeth. It
is an important piece of a preventive care regimen because numerous diseases can either
originate or be exacerbated by poor dental hygiene and care. For this reason, Lakeside
Animal Hospital recommends that your pet's teeth get cleaned on a regular basis.
Why Dental Care is Important
Dental problems are easily prevented, but if they are left untreated, they can often lead to
larger systemic problems due to oral bacteria entering the bloodstream and damaging internal organs including the kidneys, heart and liver.
Pets have dental disease just like you do. Many of these problems can be avoided by bringing your pet in for regular checkups and teeth cleanings.
Some signs of dental problems include:
- Bad breath--one of the first signs of dental disease
- A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line
- Red and swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when the mouth or gums are touched
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
- Loose or missing teeth
Prevention is the Best Medicine
Dental care does not end with a visit to your veterinarian. You need to continue your veterinarian's good work at home. Brushing your pet's teeth is an important part of home dental care. Any member of the Lakeside Veterinary Hospital team can show you the proper method for brushing your pet's teeth.