Oral Hygiene and Its Connection to Your Dog’s Health

Like with humans, proper oral hygiene helps your dog’s overall health. Good dental health ensures a comfortable and long life for your canine friend. Here are some reasons why your dog’s oral hygiene is essential.

Less Discomfort

Improper oral hygiene puts your dog at risk of developing gingivitis or periodontal disease. Both come with chronic pain. Oral illnesses are as painful for dogs as for humans. It can affect their appetites and moods. When your dog fails to eat, their immunity drops, making them incapable of fighting diseases. Some of the signs of dental diseases to look out for include the following:

• Drooling

• Loose or breaking teeth

• Bleeding gums

• Bad breath

• Inability or refusal to drink or eat

Keeping their gums and teeth clean and healthy helps avert oral pain.

Prevent Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis is a disease that results from the buildup of harmful bacteria in your dog’s mouth. It develops very slowly, making it hard to notice until it advances. The condition painfully erodes the gums, teeth, and bones. Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth helps get rid of harmful bacteria. They come from food particles that collect in the gumline.

Bacteria develop into plaque that can harden into calculus or tartar. The first stage of the disease involves inflammation along the gumline and other areas. Clean your dog’s teeth regularly and visit your vet to diagnose and treat the infection before it progresses.

Prevent Organ Damage and Pancreatic Diseases

The bacterial toxins from the mouth can spread through the blood, causing several issues. It can result in pancreatitis or hepatitis of the liver. These diseases are lifelong and may result in death without medical intervention.

The same bacteria can affect your dog’s kidneys. Their primary function is to remove bacteria and filter toxins from the blood. But if the levels get too high, they can affect the kidneys. Canine vets recommend proper dental hygiene and care as a remedy for this condition.

Avoid Heart Issues

Your dog’s heart is vulnerable to blood infections that can be fatal if they set into the valves. Over time, bacterial toxins can build up in the arteries, causing bacteremia. Without proper dental care, it can lead to bacterial endocarditis. It is the thickening of the arterial walls prompting the onset of the disease.

Prevent Gastrointestinal Problems

Poor oral hygiene causes a buildup of bacteria in your pet’s saliva, which produces toxins. Whenever your dog swallows, the toxins move into the digestive system. The animal’s stomach contains gastric acid that helps eliminate them. However, it cannot get rid of all of the toxins. Those remaining infect the stomach, causing gastrointestinal issues like gastritis. Proper oral hygiene helps reduce the number of toxins that may overwhelm gastric acid.

Apart from ingesting bacteria, dogs can also inhale harmful microorganisms. As they grow, they can move down the animal’s airways. A healthy dog with proper oral hygiene has a robust immune system that fights infections. Without this, they are vulnerable to respiratory diseases like canine bronchitis.

For more information on oral hygiene and its connection to your dog’s health, visit Woodstock Veterinary Clinic at our Woodstock, New Brunswick office. Call (506) 328-8248 to schedule an appointment today.