{"id":95,"date":"2025-02-06T21:53:55","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T21:53:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coalcreekanimalhospital.com\/blog\/?p=95"},"modified":"2025-02-06T21:53:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T21:53:56","slug":"common-signs-of-dental-disease-in-pets-and-how-to-spot-them-early","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coalcreekanimalhospital.com\/blog\/common-signs-of-dental-disease-in-pets-and-how-to-spot-them-early\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Signs of Dental Disease in Pets and How to Spot Them Early"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dental disease in pets can lead to serious health issues throughout the body. It\u2019s important to keep a close eye on your pet\u2019s oral health, and to act quickly if you spot any potential issues. Usually the first obvious sign of dental disease is bad breath. There are many signs of dental disease in pets, and the ability to identify them can lead to early intervention, effective treatment, and an even longer, happier life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

A Look at Plaque and Tartar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The by-product of undigested food particles, oral bacteria, and saliva, plaque is a sticky film that forms on the surface of teeth, particularly on the gumline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Left alone, minerals in the saliva cause plaque to harden into tartar, or dental calculus. Unfortunately, tartar, once formed and left to accumulate, can only be removed by professional dental scaling and cleaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without regular intervention, plaque nurtures the presence and proliferation of dangerous oral bacteria to form and flourish inside the mouth. Once it develops into tartar, more plaque can build on the teeth, causing irritation, inflammation, and infection of the gums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Periodontal Disease?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Caused by ongoing infection and inflammation of the gums, tooth structures, and bones around the teeth, periodontal disease starts with plaque. Gingivitis, or the inflammation of the gums, is what happens when tartar build-up causes the gums to swell, bleed, and as the disease progresses, ultimately recede. Furthermore, periodontal disease involves tooth loss and associated infections that may lead to the heart, liver, and kidneys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chronic pain is a known symptom of dental disease in pets. The following signs may accompany pain or discomfort, or may occur beforehand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n