Top Reasons to Care for Your Pet's Teeth

You know that you should visit the dentist every six months, brush your teeth twice a day, and floss every day. You know that regular dental care is important for your teeth to be strong and beautiful, and to have a healthy mouth. But what about your pet? While you may not worry about your dog having a selfie-ready smile, caring for your pet's teeth is still incredibly important. Here's why you should be caring for your pet's teeth regularly, and how to do just that.

Prevent Dental Disease

Just as with humans, poor dental health can lead to tooth decay and dental diseases. But the disease doesn't stop in the mouth. Dental infections can actually spread to other parts of the body and can even impact your pet's organs, including their heart. You may not realize it, but the dental disease could actually cause severe health problems for your pet—health problems that could be avoided by simple dental care.

Improve Their Breath

Your pet's breath is unlikely ever to be truly pleasant. It's natural for a dog to have a dog breath. But if your pet's breath is overwhelmingly unpleasant, then you may not be giving their teeth the care they need. Regular dental care can improve your pet's breath, so you don't feel like gagging when they greet you at the door with a tongue bath.

Prevent Tooth Loss

Without proper dental care, your pet is more likely to lose their teeth. In fact, simple plaque buildup can require teeth to be extracted, which is difficult and painful for a pet—and having their teeth fall out on their own as a result of tooth decay is no less painful. By cleaning your pet's teeth, you can save them a lot of pain, which is something every good pet owner should strive for.

Make Eating and Playing Easier

When your pet's teeth are bothering them, they may no longer be interested in playing with their favorite toys, and they could even lose interest in eating. Animals rely on their mouths for a lot of activities, from eating and drinking to playing and self-care. When their teeth are bothering them, some aspects of their life change. This is why proper care is so vital for our pets.

How to Care for Your Pet's Teeth

While you don't need to brush your pet's teeth as frequently as you brush your own, we do recommend brushing their teeth two or three times a week to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. You should also take them in for a dental cleaning once a year, as part of their annual pet check-up in St. Johns, FL.To schedule your pet's dental cleaning, give us a call at Forever Vets Animal Hospital today. We have 8 convenient locations with extended hours. Serving Jacksonville, Orlando, Emergency Vet at Nocatee, St. Johns, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and more.