February is National Pet Dental Health Month
Stinky breath or serious health issue? We’re here to tell you that it’s time to pay attention to that odor you smell when your pup is giving you wet kisses. February is National Pet Dental Health Month and we want to share with you how you can improve the dental health of your dog.
Some Facts to Consider
- According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs will develop some form of oral disease by the age of three.
- Just like with humans, not addressing your dog’s oral health could lead to secondary diseases like heart disease.
- Dogs get tartar build up too! Bacteria and food can build up on your dog’s gums and teeth, which left uncleaned can turn into periodontal disease.
- Amost two-thirds of pet parent’s aren’t taking the right steps to ensure their pet’s dental health.
- 75% or more of the health problems seen by vets ties to dental disease
When plaque is allowed to accumulate on your dog’s teeth, within a few days it hardens into tartar. Tartar adheres to the teeth and irritates the gums. Irritated gums result in an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. Dogs with gingivitis have red rather than pink gums, and they often also have stinky breath. If the tartar isn’t removed, it builds up under the gums. Eventually this causes the gums to pull away from the teeth. This creates small pockets in the gum tissue that trap additional bacteria in the mouth.
Once things progress to this stage, your dog will have developed an irreversible condition called periodontal disease. This not only causes considerable pain, but can also result in abscesses, infections, loose teeth, and bone loss.
Here’s What’s Really Shocking
Should your dog develop periodontal disease, the surface of his gums will be weakened. This allows mouth bacteria to invade the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. If his immune system doesn’t kill off the circulating bacteria, it can reach the heart and infect it with a multitude of scary issues.
If that’s not bad enough, studies have linked periodontal disease in both humans and pets to systemic diseases of the kidneys, liver, and lungs. It can also result in diabetes complications, problems during pregnancy, and even cancer. These serious health problems can either develop or be worsened as inflamed or bleeding gum tissue allows harmful oral bacteria to filter into the bloodstream quicker than a pug can devour a meal.
In addition to systemic diseases, infections in the mouth and gums often create other problems including tooth root abscesses, jaw fractures, nasal infection, and in extreme cases, eye loss and oral cancer. If your dog is lucky they may get by with a simple cavity or chipped tooth.
That probably scared you enough to start looking for a now doggie toothbrush. And that’s good news since most of these conditions can be avoided or greatly improved once good oral hygiene has begun and any dental disease has been resolved.
Feed your Dog a Nutritious, Species Appropriate, Diet
This sets the stage for vibrant good health. However, many pet-parents assume feeding their dog a hard, dry kibble is all that’s necessary in order to take care of their pet’s teeth. Unfortunately, feeding great food of any kind is not enough to prevent dental disease for the life of your pet. It would be the same as thinking eating crunchy granola bars was all you needed to keep your own teeth clean.
Perform Routine Mouth Inspections
Your pet should allow you to open his mouth, look inside, and feel around for loose teeth or unusual lumps or bumps on the tongue, under the tongue, along the gum line and on the roof of his mouth. After you do this a few times, you’ll become sensitive to any changes that might occur from one inspection to the next. You should also make note of any differences in the smell of your pet’s breath that aren’t diet-related.
As you can see, your dog’s oral hygiene is much more than just an obsessive grooming afterthought. It’s an extremely important factor in maintaining your dog’s health and longevity.
Keep those canines healthy for life Brushing your dog’s teeth & gums is just as important as brushing your own. Dental diseases can not only cause bad breath, painful infections, and high vet bills, they can also cause life-threatening conditions for your dog’s vital organs. Our Pura Naturals Pet™ Organic Dental Solutions is essential for all dogs. With USDA Certified Organic tooth gel and premium toothbrush, you can help freshen your dog’s breath, remove tartar, and fight plaque without any preservatives, dyes or chemicals. It’s the healthier choice for your favorite canine. Take the time to brush-up on your oral health knowledge, your dog will thank you!