Keep Your Dog’s Smile Bright with Sydney Animal Hospitals

At Sydney Animal Hospitals, Dogs can’t brush their teeth, but just like people, they are at risk for dental problems that can cause pain and serious health issues.

Causes of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is caused by an accumulation of plaque, a colourless film that contains large amounts of potentially harmful bacteria. If left unchecked, built-up plaque can create infection, destroying your dog’s gums and the tissue and bone that support the teeth. Preventive oral care can reduce plaque and help maintain proper oral health.

Signs of Periodontal Disease
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if your dog shows any of these warning signs:

• Bad breath
• Yellow-brown crust on teeth
• Red or bleeding gums
• Change in chewing or eating habits
• Tooth loss
• Change in behaviour
• Abnormal drooling

Contributing Factors
Poor Oral Hygiene: Ignoring the condition of your dog’s mouth can lead to periodontal disease, tooth loss, and other serious health problems.

Breed: Periodontal disease is more common in smaller breeds of dogs.

Age: Periodontal disease is more common as dogs grow older.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
Proper oral care isn’t just good for the mouth – it’s good for the whole body, too. Poor dental health can put your dog’s systemic health at risk. Plaque builds up on a dog’s teeth, and bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums.

The irritated gums bleed, allowing bacteria from the plaque to enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, negatively impacting vital organs. Emerging science suggests a strong link between good oral health and heart health.

Dogs with poorly maintained teeth and gums also run the risk of experiencing several other serious health problems:

• Painful dental infections
• Tooth loss
• A taxed immune system, which limits a pet’s ability to fight disease and infection

Your Veterinarian is Your Pet’s Dentist
Just as people should have regular checkups by their dentists, your dog needs regular dental care by your veterinarian.

Every regular exam at Sydney Animal Hospitals includes a thorough dental exam. We’ll also recommend a home care plan to help you keep your pet healthy. If we find disease, we will recommend a treatment plan. Ask us about our free dental check with a qualified nurse program today!

During Dog Dental Months this July and August, our team at Sydney Animal Hospitals is ready to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Book in for your dogs Free dental check now.