YOUR PET'S TEETH ARE YOUR SCORECARD Dr. Wysong

TRUTH 60: YOUR PET'S TEETH ARE YOUR SCORECARD Dr. Wysong Although dental caries (cavities) are relatively infrequent in pets, periodontal gum disease is rampant. This infection and inflammation of the gums starts with the buildup of calculus (plaque) at the gum line. This in turn creates an environment for bacterial growth. Eventually this results in tooth loss due to loosening of the cement holding tooth roots in the jaw bones. But this is only part of the problem. The chronic infection in gum tissue is a painful condition for your pet to endure and makes eating difficult. Severe halitosis can result as well. Even more serious are pathogens seeding into the bloodstream and taking root in organs such as the kidney and heart valves. Chronic kidney disease and congestive heart failure are two of the most common conditions in older pets and can be traced right back to years of periodontal disease. This is not an inevitable condition that is "just one of those things." Its cause is the exclusive feeding of processed dog foods and cat foods. Melt in the mouth processed foods laced with carbohydrates provide the perfect setting for plaque and bacterial growth. The teeth and gums get no exercise or scrubbing as they would if they were tearing, slicing, pulling, and grinding real meat, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bones. If the condition is not too advanced, it can be reversed with the dietary changes. If the condition is advanced, the teeth may need to be cleaned of the plaque and diseased teeth repaired or pulled before your pet can begin eating more natural food. Keep an eye on the condition of the teeth at the gum line and the smell of your pet's breath. If a buildup of plaque is occurring and there is halitosis, that indicates you need to make some feeding changes to not only save the teeth, but your pets organs and life as well.