Reasons to Never Skip Your Dog's Scheduled Dental Check-Ups
You probably take the time to brush and floss your teeth meticulously each day and visit the dentist on an annual basis. However, some people do not extend this courtesy to their dogs because they are under the impression that animals have a way of keeping their teeth clean. But this is a gross misconception.
If you have ever caught a whiff of your pup's breath, you know that it can be extremely rancid, and the best way to get rid of this odour is to see a veterinary dentist on an occasional basis for a dog dental check-up. However, this is not the only way that dental care can be beneficial to your pet. Read on for reasons why you should never skip your dog's scheduled dental check-ups.
Dog dental check-ups ensure your pet is not in pain
If you have ever had a cavity or any other type of oral problem, you can attest to the fact that the pain can be debilitating. Fortunately, you can easily take over-the-counter medication to ease this discomfort until you get the chance to see a dentist. Moreover, at the dentist, you can covey to them when the pain started as well as its severity, and this can give the dentist an idea of what they are dealing with. None of this is possible with your pup.
They may have developed an impacted tooth or some other type of oral problem, but since they are unable to communicate their pain, they could end up living in pain for an extended period. Some dogs may even continue to eat as their hunger surpasses their suffering. To be on the safe side, it is best to stick to your dog dental appointments so that the vet can catch underlying oral problems such as periodontal disease, gum inflammation and more.
Dog dental check-ups minimise the risk of tooth loss
Similar to humans, there is a variety of dental problems that dogs can develop that put them at an increased threat of tooth loss. An excessive accumulation of plaque, for example, increases the chances of bacteria breaching your pup's gum line, and this could translate into a severe infection of the gum tissue and, in some scenarios, the jawbone. Left unchecked, the bacteria eat through the tissue that secures the teeth in place and your dog loses these affected teeth.
In other cases, your dog may chew a bone that is quite hard and this cracks their tooth. If the cracked tooth is not attended to in time, bacteria travel into the pulp, which will eventually kill the entire structure. Spontaneous tooth loss is a choking hazard for your dog, and they lose their ability to chew their food sufficiently, so they can develop nutritional deficiencies. Scheduled dog dental appointments can go a long way in limiting this risk.