Dental care for safe and effective pets is necessary for any responsible pet owner. Maintaining a regular dental care regimen is vital to your pet’s health and well-being. You must ensure that you are doing what you must to ensure that your pet’s teeth are well-maintained.
It’s well-known that if you don’t clean your pet’s teeth, they could suffer from periodontal disease. This can lead to bleeding gums, bad breath, and tooth loss. But did you know that a pet’s poor oral hygiene could lead to other health issues? Pets are masters at disguising their distress, so you’ll not likely notice anything amiss with them.
What is the impact of dental issues on the health of a pet?
Even though it’s easy to spot when your pet’s oral health declines, an inexperienced owner might not know it. This worsens dental problems, which could devastate your pet’s overall health. Below is a list of undesirable outcomes that may result from failing to take care of your pet’s dental health.
1. Immune System Deterioration
An impaired immune system is one of the consequences of dental diseases in dogs. Dental and gum infections can be absorbed into a dog’s bloodstream as they expand. Constant inflammation weakens their immune system, making it challenging for white blood cells to fight infections. The dog’s body has exerted much energy to fight the illness.
The inflammatory reaction can eliminate bacteria, but it may also harm healthy cells. The loss of tissues, discomfort and inflammation in the wound area is only the beginning of the possible consequences caused by this. For dog and cat vaccinations, you can ask your vet for the benefits it can give your pet.
2. Pain and Discomfort
Dogs rarely display discomfort, but dental problems can be a source of severe discomfort. It is common for dogs to stay away from chewing on the side that hurts their mouths or to select soft, liquid food over drier, crunchier kibble.
Infections are more likely to appear if the issue becomes further painful and can further aggravate the problem. A damaged tooth or foreign object stuck between the molars are two abrupt problems that might cause this type of discomfort. Your dog might be able to conceal a condition; however, it’s still impacting their well-being and may lead to subtle behavioral shifts such as anxiety or despair. If your pet suffers from dental discomfort, you can ask a dog or cat dentist to address the problem.
3. Increased Risk for Chronic Diseases
Researchers have found a relationship between periodontal health and cardiac ailments, including endocarditis. Dogs suffering from severe gum disease have up to six times more likelihood of developing the condition than healthy dogs.
Canine diabetes and periodontal issues are often co-existing. The risks for dogs to develop diabetes go worse and increase due to the condition of their teeth. Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to inflammation, affecting insulin levels and resulting in insulin sensitivity or resistance in dogs.
4. Jaw Fracture
Dental disease can cause a surprising amount of canine jaw fractures, which can seem extreme. Smaller breeds of dogs like Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Shih Tzus are most susceptible to this issue because their teeth are disproportionately large.
Abscessed teeth and periodontal (gum) disease can weaken a dog’s jawbone in time, rendering it more vulnerable to injuries, even the smallest of traumas, such as jumping off the couch or chewing on crunchy dog food. You can follow this link for more info about different types of procedures that can be helpful to your pet.
5. Rapid Weight Loss
When your dog’s dental health worsens, it could signify that it’s time to stop eating since chewing causes discomfort. Rapid weight loss can be problematic for several reasons; if they need to eat more, they won’t be able to meet the body’s nutritional needs. The pet’s immune system can weaken if the illness isn’t addressed, making it susceptible to infections and other ailments.
