Implications of Dental Disease on Your Pet’s Health

Pets can bring joy and joy into your life. No matter what kind of pet you own, you must always provide them with the best treatment possible. When did you last have your pet’s dental health checked? In the absence of therapy, minor cases of bad breath can quickly progress to severe periodontal illness.

Periodontal illness refers to the infection of the bones and gums holding teeth. This can lead to halitosis, gingivitis, and eventual tooth loss. In addition, the germs present in the mouth could spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the pet’s body and cause creating havoc on the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Dental Disease and Its Health Impacts

Dogs require a strict dental regimen to keep their teeth and gums healthy. There is a risk of dental illness if their teeth haven’t been cared for. This can significantly impact their health, not just their mouths but also their teeth and gums. Check out the following ways dental issues affect dogs’ health.

1. Heart Disease

Endocarditis is an infection that affects the heart’s lining and is linked to periodontal disease. Dogs with advanced gum disease are six times more likely to develop or suffer from endocarditis than healthy dogs. Endocarditis and periodontal disease are frequently found together for reasons still to be identified, and the microorganisms that cause both conditions are the same.

2. Weight Loss

The dog you love may be having trouble eating as the dental condition progresses, and they might stop eating entirely if the discomfort of chewing gets excessive. The rapid loss of body mass that might result from this could be problematic for several reasons. Without sufficient nutrition, the body can’t function as it should. The dog’s immunity will weaken if the illness isn’t addressed, making it susceptible to infection and other diseases.

A comprehensive dog or cat exam always include weight monitoring. Rapisd weight loss is something that verterinarians do not take lightly. Dental health is always checked when this occurs. 

3. Pain and Discomfort

Even though you don’t feel any discomfort, dental problems can cause your pet much distress. It’s typical for dogs to avoid chewing on the painful side of their mouths or prefer softer, liquid foods over the more complex, crunchier kibble.

The signs of pain suggest an increased risk for secondary infections that could further worsen the situation. Sometimes, something becomes in their teeth or snaps, causing extreme pain. While your dog may appear unaffected, the underlying pain may be causing subtle behavior changes, such as increased aggressiveness or sadness.

4. Jaw Fracture

Dental diseases cause a surprisingly high number of canine jaw fractures, which may appear extreme. Smaller breeds of dogs with disproportionately big teeth, such as Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Shih Tzus, are particularly susceptible to this problem. A dog’s jawbone may become brittle from conditions like abscessed teeth and periodontal (gum) disease, and just a quick jump off the couch or mouthful of food with a crunchy texture could result in fractures.

This is especially true to our senior pets, hence, the need for comprehensive geriatric veterinary care. You read on that here in this website, or you can search on it through the internet. 

5. Inflammation

Inflamed gum tissue results from the body’s immune reaction to microorganisms from a dental infection. Although inflammation is a way to eliminate bacteria, it may also harm healthy cells. Due to this, tissues around them may become damaged, discomfort can increase, and infections could occur. The severity of dental problems can lead to increased inflammation, which increases the possibility that germs will be introduced into the bloodstream and then spread throughout the body.

Preventing the above complications brought about by dental problems is the main goal of veterinary comprehensive dental examinations.