A famous veterinarian said that the most common health problem we see in animals is dental disease, which 60 to 70 percent of the animals have some sort of dental problem."
Unlike humans, dogs and cats face much bigger problems than just tooth decay. Almost all cases of tooth troubles in our four-legged friends are a combination of periodontal disease, an inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth, and plaque or tartar buildup.
Periodontal disease causes the gums and other supportive tissues to recede and the infection to spread to the tooth socket. The buildup of plaque helps the gums to recede more quickly and speed up the infection. Most times, the tooth will then fall out and your pet is left with an open sore in his or her mouth.
The most common symptoms of a dental problem pets experience is bad breath and loss of appetite. Just as with humans with a toothache, it may be too painful for your pet to chew hard food, so he stops eating and may even start begging for soft foods and treats.
Heredity and environment also play a large role in dental health issues with pets. We should stressed the importance of dental preventive care to animals to keep them healthy and happy.
So consider brushing their teeth, feeding mostly dry foods (including some newer foods with special ingredients to prevent tartar and plaque buildup), using rope toys for dogs and using pet dentifrices on a regular basis.
