Proper dental care is a very important part of your pet’s health care.  Bacteria that grow in the mouth can enter the blood stream and cause infections in other parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, liver, and urinary tract.   Remember, our pets do not brush and floss their teeth as we do.  This allows for a greater accumulation of food particles between the teeth which leads to plaque, tartar, and eventually infection of the gums and teeth.   Infected teeth can be very painful, and our pets cannot tell us when they have a toothache.  We may see signs such as avoiding chewing on one side of the mouth, or wincing when touched around the mouth.  Some pets will show no sign of mouth pain; this is why it is so important to have regular dental exams and x-rays.  Abscessed teeth may show no external signs, and the only way to find them is with radiographs.  Many animals live with painful disease without showing any outward.

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