Believe it or not, by the age of 3 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease. Left untreated, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and infect the liver, kidneys and the heart. Not only can it be extremely painful for your pet, it can be life threatening.
Dental care for your pet should start as soon as possible. Basically it is never to late to start!
Begin first by having your veterinarian perform a routine oral examination. This can be done routinely during your pet's yearly physical examination.
A regular dental care regimen at home should be practiced (click HERE for directions on how to brush your pet's teeth). It is important to know that toothpaste made for humans should not be used on your pet. There are toothpastes specially formulated for your pet. Ask your veterinarian for their recommendation.
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Signs of Periodontal Disease
- yellow brownish colored teeth
- swollen, red, bleeding gums
- persistent bad teeth
- loose or broken teeth
- unusual growth in mouth
- reluctance to play with chew toys
- yellow-brown crust of tartar at gum line
- receded / eroded gums
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