Maintaining your dog’s teeth helps keep them comfortable. Just as important as scheduling annual pet health exams and providing nutritious meals, dental care protects your canine’s teeth and gums for a lifetime. Here are a few reasons to prioritize this procedure.

Why You Should Schedule Dental Cleaning for Your Dog

1. Remove Buildup

Just like humans, dogs can develop dental plaque. Buildup starts to form within hours of eating food, and may eventually lead to tartar. Tartar can affect your dog’s teeth and gums, leading to inflammation, bleeding, and discomfort.

Taking your pup to the vet for annual dental cleaning prevents these symptoms, as well as eventual tooth loss. 

2. Improve Breath

Dental care makes cuddles and quality time with your furry friend even more enjoyable. Plaque buildup can lead to unpleasant breath, especially since many dogs like digging through gardens and dirty places.

If you notice a strong odor, schedule an appointment with your veterinary service. Bad breath could be a sign of an underlying health problem, including diabetes or liver disease.

3. Prevent Diseases

Decaying teeth eventually fall out. When this happens, bacteria around the area may enter the bloodstream, reaching the kidney, liver, and heart.

Known as bacteremia, this condition may cause loss of appetite, exhaustion, and vomiting. Many pet health providers perform extractions when a tooth is deemed unsalvageable to prevent this issue. With proper professional care and treatment, dogs can remain healthy even with missing teeth.
 

If you seek a reliable veterinarian in Monroe County, NY, visit Hilton Veterinary Hospital. At this veterinary hospital, your dog is in the best possible hands. Experienced staff members provide compassionate care, including pet wellness exams and surgical procedures. They also give advice for home care to improve pet health. Call (585) 392-2937 to schedule an appointment, or visit their Facebook page for news and updates.