How Good Teeth Go Bad
Read this twice: dental disease is the most common preventable cause of pain and discomfort in pets. Even though you brush your teeth two or three times a day, you still see your dentist for an exam and cleaning at least yearly. Your pets do not have a magic mechanism that keeps their mouth healthier than yours – they need the same care you do!
Plaque & Calculus
Bacteria are constantly trying to get a foothold in your pet’s mouth. Within 24-48 hours of being left to their own devices (i.e., hiding from a toothbrush), they begin to mineralize into calculus that won’t come off with just a toothbrush.
Like any other infection, the body responds to this bacteria by triggering inflammation to try and destroy it. This essentially is what gingivitis is – red, puffy gums where the body is trying to bring in an immune response to that infection.
Unfortunately, the immune system can’t do much about mineralized bacteria clinging to a tooth. Instead, the tissues around the tooth – gums, ligaments, and even bone holding that tooth in – wind up getting damaged and eaten away over time by the immune response. This is how periodontal disease develops, where the tissues that hold and protect the tooth are slowly destroyed. Over time the entire tooth essentially becomes one painful abscess.
Keeping a Healthy Mouth
Want to keep this from happening to your pet? Here’s the plan:
- Regular professional cleanings, exams, and radiographs – for most pets this means every 12-18 months.
- Daily home dental care – this can be any combination of toothbrushing, using special foods or chews designed for plaque reduction, or special water additives.