Keeping dental disease at bay

Keeping dental disease at bay


Periodontal disease—that is, disease of tissues that support the teeth—is a big problem in our pets. In fact, up to 80 percent of dogs and cats are affected by age 3. That’s even more surprising once you realize it’s completely preventable.

Periodontal disease is insidious, since most of the damaging tartar lies under the gum line. The only hint that something’s off may be bad breath. The good news is that professional dental cleaning can identify and treat the problem. That might entail removing some teeth—but untreated disease can lead to bone infections and even jaw fractures.

There are two ways to prevent periodontal disease: brushing your pet’s teeth every day and scheduling regular dental cleanings. Teeth cleaning requires anesthesia in pets, but most animals recover quickly and go home sunshine fresh the same day.

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