How Dental Care Affects Your Dog’s Overall Health

Just as humans need to take very good care of their teeth, a dog’s dental health is essential, too. If you don’t look after your dog’s teeth and gums, they are at risk of developing dental disease. And if these dental issues aren’t resolved over time, they can lead to severe problems in the rest of their body.
 
Periodontal diseases and gingivitis in dogs are easy to prevent. All you need is a regular tooth brushing schedule, appropriate dog treats, and regular visits to the vet for deep cleaning.
 
Many would rationalize that dogs don’t need oral care—after all, animals in the wild don’t get their teeth brushed, right? However, to emphasize its necessity for your pets, here’s what happens when you don’t take care of your dog’s dental health:

Common Dental Diseases in Dogs

Dental diseases affect the teeth, gums, tongue, and bones that support a dog’s mouth. Dental issues begin innocuously through plaque buildup on teeth. This buildup consists of food particles and bacteria, and it accumulates quite easily below a dog’s gum line.
 
If plaque buildup isn’t removed regularly, it hardens into tartar—making it much easier to remove. While tartar on teeth is easy to spot, tartar below the gum line is the first step that leads to more serious dental issues.
 
Hardened tartar in the gum line causes inflammation and infection (gingivitis). It damages the bone surrounding the teeth, and if the dental disease reaches this stage, your dog is likely to experience a lot of pain.
 
Here are some signs of advanced dental disease in dogs:
 

• Bad breath

• Loose teeth

• Broken teeth

• Bleeding mouth

• Excessive drooling

• Decreased appetite

 
Why Your Dog’s Dental Health Is Important
 
1. Prevent pain – Dental disease causes dogs a lot of pain. If your dog has a painful mouth, it will avoid anything that makes the pain worse, including food. Dogs with moderate to severe dental disease are also underweight and are in danger of becoming malnourished. 

A poor appetite can lead to much more severe health issues, including gastrointestinal disease and heart disease.
 
2. Prevent bad breath – A dog’s mouth will likely never smell minty fresh—but it shouldn’t smell toxic, either. Bad breath (halitosis) is a sign of burgeoning dental issues, so if you notice that in your pet, it’s time to bring him in to the vet for vigorous teeth cleaning.
 
3. Prevent tooth loss – Advanced dental disease can lead to your dog’s teeth falling out. Lost teeth in adult dogs cannot be replaced, so it’s best to be as proactive as possible in preventing severe dental issues.
 
4. Prevent bacterial infections – Plaque and tartar build-ups contain a lot of bacteria. The body’s response to bacterial infection is to increase blood flow to infected areas, causing inflammation. 

Bacteria can then enter the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and joints.
 
Bacterial endocarditis occurs when bacteria penetrate the inner lining of the heart. This is commonly seen in dogs that reach stage three periodontal disease. Over time, this can lead to chronic heart disease that is difficult to treat.

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Conclusion
 

Dental disease is a common problem in dogs. If plaque and tartar buildup isn’t removed from the mouth, it can lead to more serious health problems, such as tooth loss, halitosis, and bacterial infection. Fortunately, keeping your dog’s teeth healthy is easy—regular vet cleanings and brushing at home can keep those dental diseases at bay.
 
Are you looking for a pet supply store in Marysville, WA? Earthwise Pet Supply & Grooming is your neighborhood pet nutrition center, wellness spa, and pet store. We are passionate about animals and constantly find ways to improve the quality of their lives. Check out our products and services today!