Dental Care
There are several main areas to consider when caring for the 48 adult teeth in your dog’s mouth – good nutrition and natural remedies, regular brushing and veterinary cleaning.
When Patty’s elderly dog became lethargic and lost his appetite, she feared he had developed cancer or heart disease. As it turned out, the problem was in Zen’s mouth – he had severe gingivitis and a bad tooth that was causing him a lot of pain and discomfort. Patty had avoided having Zen’s teeth cleaned because she was nervous about the procedure. But when she saw how quickly he bounced back to his usual energetic self after some dental work, she realized how important canine oral health is.
Just like humans, dogs regularly develop plaque and tartar on their teeth. If these deposits are not removed, they lead to periodontal disease, which has become the most common clinical condition diagnosed in dogs.
If left untreated, progressive periodontal disease can lead to bad breath (halitosis), bleeding gums, loose and eventually lost teeth, and even degradation of the jaw bone itself. Bacteria from the mouth can also enter the bloodstream, causing systemic problems. Studies have shown that oral bacteria can cause pathologic changes in the kidneys, liver and heart.
