Proper dental care for pets is a must for every responsible pet owner. Regular dental regimens are vital to your pet’s overall health and well-being. You must ensure you do what you can to keep your pet’s mouth well-maintained.
It’s probably common knowledge that if you don’t clean your pet’s teeth regularly, they may develop a periodontal disease that leads to bleeding gums, bad breath, and tooth loss. Did you know a pet’s poor oral hygiene may cause other health issues? Pets are experts at hiding their problems, so you may not notice anything to be concerned about.
What is the impact of dental issues on the health of pets?
Even though it’s easy to tell the signs that your pet’s dental health is declining, a negligent owner might not. This worsens dental conditions, which can devastate your pet’s overall health. Below is a list of concerning outcomes that can result from not taking care of your pet’s dental health.
1. Immune System Deterioration
The weakening of the immune system is among the consequences of dental disease in dogs. Dental infections and gums can be absorbed into a dog’s bloodstream when they spread. The constant inflammation of their body weakens their immune system, which makes it challenging to allow white blood cells to attack infections. The dog’s body has to be able to fight the illness.
Although the inflammatory reaction eliminates bacteria, it may also affect healthy cells. The loss of tissue, pain and wound infection is only the beginning of potential adverse effects caused by this. Reputable facilities like Spinnaker Veterinary Clinic offer vaccines for your pet to boost its immune system and prevent any severe ailment in the future.
2. Pain and Discomfort
They don’t usually show discomfort, but dental problems may cause extreme distress. It’s normal for dogs not to chew on the painful side of their mouths. They also prefer more liquid, soft foods over crunchier, drier kibble.
If the issue becomes, further painful infections are more likely to occur and worsen the issue. Damaged teeth or an object stuck between the teeth are two examples of abrupt problems that might cause this type of discomfort. Your dog might be able to conceal an issue, but it’s still affecting the quality of its life. It can cause subtle behavioral changes such as aggression or depression. To address pain and discomfort, you can ask for the opinion and aid of an expert in pet surgery to address the problem.
3. Increased Risk for Chronic Diseases
Researchers have discovered a link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular ailments, including endocarditis. Dogs suffering from severe gum disease have up to six times higher likelihood of developing the condition than healthy dogs.
In many cases, canine diabetes and problems with periodontal health are often part of the same—the dog’s risks of having diabetes get higher and rise due to the condition of the teeth. Poor oral hygiene can cause inflammation that affects insulin levels, eventually leading to insulin sensitivity or resistance in dogs.
4. Jaw Fracture
Dental problems can lead to a shockingly high amount of jaw fractures, which may appear extreme. Smaller dog breeds like Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Shih Tzus are especially prone to this condition because their teeth are massively large.
Abscessed teeth and periodontal (gum) condition can weaken a dog’s jawbone in time, making it more prone to injuries even from minor injuries like jumping off the couch or chewing on crunchy kibble. You can visit this page and read blog posts and articles about the dental maintenance of your pets.
5. Rapid Weight Loss
If your pet’s dental issue worsens, it could signify that it’s time to stop eating because chewing can cause discomfort. Rapid weight loss is problematic due to a variety of reasons. If they’re eating enough, they can satisfy their nutritional needs. Your pet’s immune system will decrease if the problem isn’t dealt with, leaving them susceptible to infection and other illnesses.