STONEY CREEK, Ontario, April 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beattie Pet Hospital in Stoney Creek, ON is reminding pet owners about the importance of pet dentistry care. Regular dental cleanings and at-home brushing reduces the risk for gum disease, tooth loss and bacterial infections. All three oral health problems are increasingly common in pets, says the Stoney Creek veterinary team. Without proper treatment, they can lead to serious complications requiring emergency vet care. Incorporating dental care into routine wellness care is the best way to prevent these problems.
With periodontal disease now affecting the majority of adult cats and dogs, Beattie Pet Hospital is partnering with pet owners to fight back against this disease.
"Recent studies show that periodontal disease is the most prevalent health problem affecting dogs and cats," said the Stoney Creek veterinary team. "Unfortunately, many pet owners fail to realize just how wide spread oral problems are in pets. Tooth loss, gum disease and bacterial infections can be prevented if pet owners take action."
According to the veterinary team, periodontal disease, along with other oral health problems, can best be prevented through proactive veterinary care. The veterinary care team at Beattie Pet Hospital is working with pet owners to raise awareness about the importance of incorporating dental hygiene into regular pet wellness care.
"Regular brushing and dental exams are essential to protecting a pet's health," said the veterinary team. "We recommend that all pets receive a dental cleaning every year."
Brushing a pet's teeth at home can remove leftover food particles and stop plaque buildup along the gum line. However, just like with humans, brushing is not 100% effective at preventing plaque deposits.
"Even with regular brushing, small deposits of plaque will still form," said the veterinary team. "When these deposits harden, they form tartar, which pushes away the gum line. The only way to remove tartar is through professional cleaning and scaling."
Failure to remove tartar deposits can have serious repercussions for a pet's health, says the veterinary team. For example, if tartar pushes away the gum line, the gums become susceptible to bacterial infection.
Symptoms of gum disease and infection include swollen, puffy, red or bleeding gums. Periodontal problems can be very painful for pets, making it difficult for them to eat, drink or pick up objects with their mouths.
If gum disease goes untreated, bacterial infections may progress from the gum and enter the bloodstream. Once an infection enters the bloodstream, the heart, liver, kidneys and other internal organs are at risk for infection.
"It's a snowball effect that can easily be prevented with good dental hygiene," says the veterinary team.
Beattie Pet Hospital is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. The vet hospital provides full-service veterinary care, including pet dentistry, vaccinations, puppy and kitten care, pet surgery, and emergency care during regular hospital hours.