When it comes to your dog's health, you probably keep up with a regular visit to the veterinarian or make sure your dog has all their needed shots. But there's one particular part of your dog's health that can sometimes be overlooked and that's what's going on inside your dog's mouth. Here's why you should talk to your veterinarian about your dog's dental care or seek out an animal dental care expert in the near future.
Dental Health Can Affect Your Dog's General Health
Have you ever been told by your dentist that not taking care of your teeth can affect the rest of your body? Well, the same concept holds true for your furry best friend. When you don't take care of your dog's teeth, a buildup of bacteria and plaque can occur. This bacteria can then slowly get into the bloodstream over time when your dog swallows it down when drinking or eating. A buildup of bacteria and plaque due to poor dental health could slowly start to affect your dog in other ways that will eventually lead to more veterinarian visits and higher doggy medical bills for you to pay.
A Dog With Dental Problems Might Not Be Eating or Drinking What They Need
It can be hard to figure out if your dog is having dental problems because it's not like your favorite pet can actually tell you that their mouth is hurting. Or can it? Pay attention to your dog when it goes to eat or drink. If the dog is eating slower than normal, seems to be chewing extra carefully, or in some cases, seems like it is not as excited as it usually is about getting dog food or table scraps, there might be a reason for that. A broken tooth or other issues could easily make one of your dog's favorite times of the day less than enjoyable. Keep up with your pet's animal health and pay attention to them when they are eating and hopefully, your friend will never have to suffer through its meal.
A Dog With Dental Problems Might Make a Mess
When a dog is experiencing pain from its teeth, it's more likely to keep its mouth open or openly drool as it tries to deal with the pain. Some dogs naturally drool a bit anyway, but if you notice more drool than usual going on, this could be another sign that something is not right inside your dog's mouth. Not tending to the issue could soon have your dog drooling all over the furniture or other things you'd prefer to keep clean.
Talk to your vet to learn more about animal dental care.