Does my pet really need a dental cleaning? Yes, at least once a year.
Dental health is just as important for dogs and cats as it is for
people. Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if
left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone
surrounding the teeth. This decay can result in irreversible periodontal
disease, tooth loss, and expensive oral surgery. Bacteria can also cause
serious and potentially fatal infections in your pet's kidneys, liver,
lungs, and heart.
Did you know that a recent study by the American Veterinary Dental
Society found that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral
disease by age three?
Some common signs of oral disease include:
• Bad breath
• Inflamed Gums
• Abnormal drooling
100 | SignatureMT
Pet Dental Care
It's More Important
an You ink!
Pet Health 101
Text by Dawn Milligan's | Photography by John Mack
Dogs start out with 28 deciduous (baby) teeth.
By six months of age, these fall out and are
replaced by 42 permanent teeth.
Much like your own
routine dental visits,
a professional pet
dental cleaning involves
thorough scaling and
close inspection of
the teeth, gums and
mouth and polishing
of the teeth.