We love our pets regardless, but catch a whiff of their stinky breath and even the most animal-loving human will probably shy away from a smooch!
It's fair to say keeping on top of our pets' dental health isn't always top of mind. However it's important to remember that because our pets can't tell us about the pain they are in, us owners are often left unaware that they are suffering. And just like humans, our pets' oral health is a vital part of their overall optimum health, so it's best not to ignore bad breath as this can be a sign that your pet has some serious health issues going on.
Research shows that by the age of 2, four out of five pets have dental disease. Maintaining oral health is important as gum disease can not only cause pain and may lead to more serious illnesses from the bacteria in the mouth getting in the bloodstream causing heart, liver and kidney disease. What we feed our pets, whether or not we take good care of their oral hygiene at home and through regular check-ups will determine what condition their pearly whites are in and ultimately their overall wellbeing.
Veterinarian at Tauranga Vets Dr Kate Heller says most of the dental problems that pets encounter are due to plaque.
"Over time this becomes tartar, which can cause inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis. This can progress to periodontal disease which damages the tooth's supporting structures. This causes the tooth to rot and also leaves your pet in pain. Other symptoms of dental disease include bad breath from infection, dribbling and bleeding gums," she says.
