Healthy Teeth Make For a Healthy Pet!

If you went months without cleaning your teeth you'd soon have a very unhealthy mouth, and the same thing applies for dogs and cats. Plaque can build up on and between your pet's teeth, leading to tooth decay and periodontal disease. But keeping your pet's teeth healthy isn't all about looks and pet breath. There are serious diseases that can be worsened by poor dental health, and keeping your pet's teeth healthy may be the simplest way to give it a longer and healthier life.

Our Laguna Hills Veterinarian Talks about Pet Dental Information

You may dismiss your pet's bad breath as dog breath and accept it as the normal state of affairs, but really bad breath in animals can be a sign of growing gum disease or infection. Dirty teeth allow bacterial to become trapped and grow between teeth and gums. These bacteria can cause infections in the gum itself, causing pain, tooth loss, and the infection spreading further into the body. This can lead to life-threatening kidney and liver diseases. It's serious and painful, but very preventable.

Regular cleaning at home can go a long way toward keeping your pet's mouth healthy, but sometimes problems crop up despite the best of care. It's simple to spot pet dental problems if you know what to watch for. If you see any of these signs, make an appointment with Dr. Kerolos at Trinity Pet Hospital for a comprehensive dental exam:

• Loose or missing teeth
• Loss of appetite
• Very bad breath
• Difficulty chewing, especially crunchy foods
• Pawing at the mouth
• Brown deposits on the teeth

Any of these signs can be a signal that your pet is suffering from dental problems, and should be dealt with right away. Once your pet has been treated, we'll be happy to teach you the best way to clean your pet's teeth with a minimum of stress.

If you have any questions or to make an appointment, call Trinity Pet Hospital at 949-232-1788. We'll get your pet in to see Dr. Kerolos as soon as possible.