Did you all of a sudden get a whiff of your pet’s breath, make a face and then wipe the air in front of your nose to clear it? That might be ok for the moment, but don’t clear from your mind that you need to get your pet in for an dental cleaning. A pets bad breath can be a serious health risk, with the potential to damage the teeth, gums and even internal organs. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has estimated that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three. Scary right? To educate pet parents on the importance of dental health, the AVMA has declared February as National Dental Health Month. 

Bad breath, loose or discarded teeth, and dental tartar are common signs of oral disease. If tartar is not taken care of, bacteria can start to cause inflammation along the gums as well as the ligaments that connect them to the teeth. This tenderness of the gums can turn into gingivitis, causing gums to become red, swollen and to bleed easily. In the last stages of gingivitis, the tissue that surrounds a tooth will eventually decay, causing the tooth to become loose, or even fall out. Not only will this cause a pet to have bad breath, but it is a very painful process for the pet to go through. Pets with developing gingivitis and periodontal diseases may also paw at their face or mouth, have excessive drool and may refuse to eat hard foods or treats. While some pet owners may think gingivitis is not a serious problem, it can cause health issues like diabetes or cardiovascular disease that can decrease a pets life expectancy. Bacteria in a pets mouth can also get into a pets bloodstream and move into different organs, causing infections that can potentially cause death.

Luckily, there are easy steps pet parents can take to help keep their pet’s teeth healthy besides taking them once a year to their vet so their teeth can be examined and possibly cleaned. The best way is to regularly brush a pets teeth yourself. It might seem complicated, but once you get it down, your pet may even start to enjoy it, and it will be a good bonding experience for the both of you. They aren’t as effective as brushing everyday, but there are specific treats, toys, and food that are made to help a pets oral health. 

Keeping in mind the significance of oral health, prevention has many lasting positive effects for pets. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggest that maintaining a pets oral health can add up to 5 years to a pets life. So this month, take your pet in to have their teeth checked, and then they can show of their pearly whites!