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| Dog Dental Facts |
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Puppies have 28
temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age.
They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four
months. |
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Symptoms of gum disease in dogs
include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line,
inflamed gums and persistent bad breath. |
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Broken teeth are a common problem,
especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental
experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as
commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken
teeth in dogs. |
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| Cat Dental Facts |
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Kittens have 26
temporary teeth that begin to erupt at about two to three weeks
of age. They have 30 permanent teeth that erupt at about three
to four months. |
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Symptoms of periodontal disease in
cats include yellow and brown tartar buildup along the gum
line, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath. |
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Resorptive lesions are the most
common tooth disease in domestic cats. Studies show that about
28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these
painful lesions during their lifetime. |
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Oral disease is
the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets
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An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70
percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to
the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).
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Periodontal disease is a common problem
in dogs, particularly smaller breeds.
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Cats can develop painful resorptive
lesions. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats
develop at least one of these painful lesions during their
lifetime.
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Oral disease
begins with a buildup of bacteria in the petīs mouth
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Bacteria, combined with saliva and food
debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formulations
that accumulate on the tooth. As bacteria grow in the plaque and
as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar.
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Bacterial plaque is the most important
substrate in the development of periodontal disease. The
inflammation and destruction that accompanies periodontal disease
results from the direct action of bacteria and their by-products
on periodontal tissues as well as the indirect activation of the
host immune response.
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Without proper preventive or
therapeutic care, plaque and tartar buildup leads to periodontal
disease, which affects the tissues and structures supporting the
teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause oral pain,
dysfunction, tooth loss and systemic complications.
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Tartar has a contributory role due to
its roughened surface, which enhances bacterial attachment and
further plaque development, and also irritates gingival tissues.
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Periodontitis may
lead to other health problems
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Periodontal disease causes red, swollen
and tender gums, receding gums, bleeding, pain and bad breath. If
left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.
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The inflammation and infection
associated with periodontal disease may damage other organs such
as the heart, liver, and kidneys, or lead to other serious health
problems.
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Pet owners should
look for warning signs of oral disease
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Common indications of oral disease
include bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing
at the face or mouth and depression.
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If any of these signs are present, the
pet should be taken to the veterinarian for a dental exam.
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Broken teeth are a common problem,
especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental
experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially
available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.
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The good news is that pet
owners can reduce the risk of oral disease by following AVDS
recommendations
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The first step in preventing oral
disease is a routine physical examination including a dental exam.
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Pet owners should practice a regular
dental care regimen at home, which may include brushing the petīs
teeth with specially formulated toothpaste. Itīs best to start
early, but grown dogs and cats can learn to tolerate brushing.
Toothpaste for humans is not recommended because it may upset the
petīs stomach.
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Schedule regular follow-up care with
your family veterinarian and ask about specially formulated foods
with proven benefits in plaque and tartar removal.
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