![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/graystonedental\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/106\/2019\/05\/pet-dental-care_543.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
IT\u2019S EASY TO ASSUME<\/b> that our pets don\u2019t need dental care like we do. After all, wild animals can\u2019t exactly brush their teeth, and that doesn\u2019t seem to be a problem for them. However, it turns out that our pets\u2019 teeth have a very different situation than the teeth of wild animals, and they do need our help to stay healthy.<\/p>\nAnimal Teeth In The Wild<\/h3>\n
There are two main reasons wild animals don\u2019t need dental care. The first is diet. Unlike us and our pets (particularly cats and dogs), wild animals don\u2019t consume a lot of sugar or carbs, which is what feeds the bacteria that causes tooth decay<\/strong>. Wild animals are more likely to wear their teeth down than they are to get cavities.<\/p>\n The second reason wild animals don\u2019t seem to get tooth decay as often is that their teeth essentially outlive them. Their lifespans aren\u2019t long enough for their teeth to rot before they die.<\/strong> If an animal\u2019s teeth do rot, it won\u2019t survive much longer in the wild, because unlike domesticated animals, it doesn\u2019t have a friendly human to feed it after it can no longer eat its usual food.<\/p>\n Our puppies and kitties might have teeth that look a lot different from ours, but they can get cavities and gum disease<\/a> just like we can. In fact, a whopping 85 percent of dogs and cats get gum disease by age three.<\/strong> Keep an eye out for symptoms like difficulty chewing, tooth loss, and bad breath, as well as loose teeth, swollen or bleeding gums, and loss of appetite.<\/p>\n In a way, dental problems are even more serious for our pets than they are for us. We can take care of our own teeth, and we can describe what our teeth and gums feel like to our dentists. Our pets can\u2019t do any of that, so when a problem happens, it\u2019s more likely to get worse.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t wait for your pet to start showing symptoms of dental problems to begin a dental hygiene routine for them. Whether you\u2019re keeping their teeth healthy or helping fight back against existing problems, you\u2019ll be making your furry friend\u2019s life so much better.<\/strong> Here are a few things<\/a> you can do:<\/p>\nWhat Dental Problems Are Pets At Risk For?<\/h3>\n
Tips For Pet Dental Care<\/h3>\n
\n