Did you know that you are supposed to brush your pet’s teeth every day? You need to do it for the same reasons why you need to brush your teeth every day. NEK Veterinary Services in Hiawatha, KS lists the reasons why pet dental care is so important for your pet.

Prevents Stomatitis and Organ Damage

Many pets suffer from periodontal disease or gum disease. If left untreated, periodontal disease develops into an incredibly painful disease called stomatitis. The pet is left in such pain that eating becomes impossible. Often, the only way to save the pet’s life is to extract all of his or her teeth. Stomatitis is completely preventable with regular brushing and a dental cleaning from your veterinarian. The bacteria that causes plaque can get into your pet’s bloodstream, traveling to the heart, liver, kidneys, and meninges, causing major damage.

Better Breath

It’s a common misconception that dogs and cats are supposed to have bad breath. Their breath is not supposed to have any odor at all. It’s the bacteria in the mouth that causes the bad odor. Regular brushing and dental cleanings from our vet remove, preventing bad breath.

Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth

If you do not know how to brush your pet’s teeth, ask your vet to show you how. You use the same motions as you would brush the teeth of a small child. Be sure to only use toothpaste made for dogs and cats, as toothpaste made for people can make pets very sick.

Dental Exam and Cleaning

Just like you need your teeth cleaned by a dentist, your pet can have its teeth professionally cleaned by our veterinarian. Following a thorough dental exam, our pet might need to be placed under anesthesia so our veterinarian can safely perform a dental cleaning.

Pet Dental Care in Hiawatha, KS

If you have further questions about pet dental health and live in the Hiawatha, KS area, contact NEK Veterinary Services at (785) 742-2147 for more information or to schedule an appointment.