What You Can't See

                While most people begin thinking about their pet’s dental health when they start smelling their breath it is important to note that dental disease does not just affect the outside part of the tooth and the gums in our pets. There is also damage to the internal organs and systems.

Red and Swollen Gums

                In addition to bad breath, we also can see a loss of appetite due to irritated and bleeding gums and inflammation and reddening of the gums.  When your pet’s gums become inflamed it is  The disease continues to spread from the surface and outside of the tooth to under the gum line. Toxins are secreted into the bloodstream and the bacterium stimulates our pet’s immune system into action; causing white blood cells to trigger the inflammatory chemical signals to move into the space between the gum or bone and the tooth (observes as swelling in the gums). Bacteria from dental disease can enter the bloodstream; this is called sepsis, and can be carried throughout the body. This can lead to serious and potentially fatal problems. Sinus infections can be caused when the disease progresses into the sinus cavities. As the dental disease progresses there are several changes in your pet’s mouth that can be observed both visibly and with radiographs, including loss of the jaw bone around the teeth and loss of the soft tissue (or gum); this is called periodontist.

Loss of jaw bone can be seen in this X-ray

                 Diabetes is another major health concern with dental disease. Deep periodontal pockets, tooth root abscesses, and severe gum inflammation often occurs with poor oral hygiene. Diabetes is a systemic disease caused by increased blood glucose levels due to absence or decreased levels of insulin. The body organs and their functions are affected either directly or indirectly. Periodontal disease can lead to increase susceptibility to infections.

                Good dental health, including home care and routine anesthetized cleanings, is just as important for our pets as it is for us.  With proper dental care, including home care and regularly scheduled anesthetized dental cleanings, our pets can live longer less painful lives.