A HEALTHY MOUTH MAKES A HEALTHY PET

October Is Dental Health Month at Arlington Animal Hospital

According to the Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of companion dogs and 70% of family cats in the U.S. show signs of oral disease by the age of three.  Apart from the need for better dental care, these statistics point to more serious health implications for pets.  Plaque and tartar buildup can lead to systemic infection which causes damage to the heart, kidneys and liver, oral pain, and ultimately tooth loss.  When our animal friends receive good dental care, they undoubtedly live longer and better lives. 

Periodontal disease is the progressive loss or destruction of periodontal tissues.  First the pink gingival tissues that surround each tooth become red and inflamed.  This is called "gingivitis" and is reversible.  If untreated, the problem progresses to "periodontitis" whereby the deeper tooth structures holding the tooth firmly into position (periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum) become irreversibly damaged.  When this occurs, the result is infection, pain, and tooth loss.

Periodontal disease is not only the most common disease in dogs and cats, but it is also one of the most preventable.  The prevention strategies are simple:    1) Annual professional dental cleaning and oral examination performed under anesthesia by your veterinarian is the cornerstone of preventive dental health care!   2) Active home care by you, the pet owner, helps slow the accumulation of plaque and calculus on the tooth surface.   3) Good dental nutrition by feeding a commercial dental diet can significantly reduce the plaque and tartar build up on teeth.

What are you waiting for?   Feel free to call us if you have any questions or need more information.  Our veterinary technicians and hospital staff are well-educated and excited about keeping your pets healthy.  Now that the summer is over, school has begun, and the weather is cooler, it is time to focus on the health of your pet.

Give our hospital a call and schedule your dog and your cat teeth cleaning today! A healthy mouth makes a healthy pet.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bonnie