A good dental hygiene routine for your pet is an absolute requirement for every responsible owner. A regular dental routine is crucial to your pet’s health and well-being. Do what you can to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
It’s probably well-known that if you don’t clean your pet’s dental hygiene, they may get periodontal disease, leading to bleeding gums, foul breath, and eventually tooth loss. Did you know that a pet’s poor oral hygiene can cause other health problems? Pets are experts at hiding their distress, so you’ll not likely notice anything wrong with them.
What can dental problems do to a pet’s health?
Even though it’s easy to tell how your pet’s oral health is deteriorating, a careless pet owner may not know it. It can result in the development of more dental conditions, which can significantly impact your pet’s overall health. Here is a list of concerning outcomes that can result from failing to care for your pet’s dental health.
1. Immune System Deterioration
A compromised immune system is a consequence of dental disease in dogs. Gum and tooth-related infections may be absorbed into a dog’s bloodstream as they spread. Chronic inflammation can weaken their immune system, making it harder for white blood cells to fight infections. This means that the dog’s body has to put in a lot of effort to fight off illness.
The inflammatory reaction can eliminate bacteria, but it could also cause damage to healthy cells. The loss of tissue, pain, and infection in the area surrounding the wound is only the beginning of the possible consequences caused by this. Reputable facilities like Spinnaker Veterinary Clinic can address the problem and prevent future and more severe ailments.
2. Pain and Discomfort
They don’t usually show discomfort; however dental issues can cause severe distress. It’s normal for dogs not to chew on the side that hurts their mouth or to choose soft, liquid meals over crunchier, drier kibble.
When the issue becomes uncomfortable, the possibility of further infections is likely to develop and worsen the issue. A damaged tooth or an object stuck between the molars are two acute problems that could result in this discomfort. Your dog could be able to conceal an illness, but it’s still affecting the quality of its life. It could cause subtle behavior changes like aggression or despair. You can visit this page for more information.
3. Increased Risk for Chronic Diseases
Researchers have identified a link between periodontal health and cardiac conditions, including endocarditis. Dogs with severe gum disease can be at six times greater risk of developing endocarditis than healthy dogs.
In many cases, canine diabetes and periodontal problems occur together. The risks for dogs to develop diabetes are increased and worsen due to the condition of the teeth. Inadequate oral hygiene can cause inflammation, affecting insulin levels and resulting in resistance or insulin sensitivity in dogs.
4. Jaw Fracture
Dental disease can cause a surprising amount of canine jaw fractures, which may appear extreme. Smaller breeds of dogs like Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Shih Tzus are most susceptible to this problem since their teeth are large in proportion.
Abscessed teeth and periodontal (gum) diseases can cause a dog’s jawbone to weaken as time passes, making it more vulnerable to injuries by even minor accidents like jumping off the couch or chewing on a chunk of chewy kibble. If your pet is suffering from a fracture, it needs to undergo a procedure with the help of a veterinary surgeon.
5. Rapid Weight Loss
If your pet’s dental issue worsens, it could signify that it’s time to stop eating since chewing can cause discomfort. Rapid weight loss can be a problem because of several reasons. If they are eating enough, they will be able to meet the nutritional requirements of their body. The pet’s immune system can decrease if the problem isn’t addressed, making it vulnerable to infection and ailments.
