Loving your pet means taking care of their health. Bringing them to the vet for checkups, making sure they get enough exercise, and feeding them nutritional meals will keep them healthy and happy. However, you need to remember that pets also need dental care. Poor oral hygiene can lead to pain and infections, and may make some diseases worse. Here’s why you should be brushing your pet’s teeth every day.
Three Reasons Why Oral Hygiene Is Important for Pets
Plaque and tartar cause dental problems in pets, just like they do in people. It’s very important to remove plaque by brushing your pet’s teeth every day.
Leaving plaque on your pet’s teeth can cause:
- Pain and sensitivity
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Tooth loss
- Gum disease
- Oral wounds
Here are three very important reasons to brush your pet’s teeth every day.
1: Prevent Pain
Tooth pain often makes pets change their behavior. For some, it can look like scampering away or snapping at you when you try to pet their face. Others might refuse to eat or drink because it’s too painful. If you notice your cat or dog has suddenly started acting strangely, contact your veterinarian to make an appointment.
2: Prevent Infections
Gum disease is a chronic infection, and it’s the number one cause of tooth loss in pets. It can also cause open wounds in your pet’s mouth that allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause infections elsewhere in the body.
3: Better Health
Not only can pain and infections affect your pet’s general health, the inflammation can also make diseases like heart and kidney disease more difficult to manage. And if your pet has trouble eating because of the pain, it can lead to all sorts of health problems.
Three Oral Care Tips for Pet Owners
1: Brush Their Teeth Every Day
Brushing your pet’s teeth can help keep gum disease at bay, reduce plaque and tartar buildup, and even give your pet fresher breath. If your pet won’t let you brush their teeth, consult your veterinarian about the best techniques. They might also recommend trying products like dental treats or water additives.
2: Check Their Teeth for Problems
We are NOT suggesting that you force their jaws open and stick your hand in there—that is a surefire way to get bit. But if your pet lets you gently lift their lips and view their teeth, you can check for potential problems. Look for dark spots, cracks, and yellowish tartar buildup. These signs of tooth decay, along with bad smells or a change in behavior, mean that your pet needs veterinary dental care.
3: Visit Your Veterinarian
Dental cleanings once a year can help your cat or dog maintain healthy teeth and gums. Veterinary dentists can remove plaque and tartar buildup, check the stability of your pet’s teeth, and notify you of any other dental work that might be needed.
Dental Care for Pets in Gilbert, Arizona
Here at East Valley Animal Hospital, we have a full team of veterinary experts on our staff, including dental specialists. We offer annual checkups, dental cleanings, and excellent care for cats and dogs of all ages. Contact us today to make an appointment for a dental checkup and cleaning.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (3/25/25). Photo by Andrew S on Unsplash.