Dental disease, a silent assassin, could live in your pet's mouth for years without you noticing and without having a visible effect.

The best way to prevent this is to have your dog regularly examined by the doctors at All Creatures Care Cottage in Costa Mesa, CA. Dr. Rand Spongberg and the team can detect early signs of canine dental disease and implement a solution plan, including cleaning and/or other dental work, which will restore your dog to health. The cost of dental work on dogs can vary, but the cost of untreated dental disease on your best friend can be steep. The reality is that it's not a matter of if, but a matter of when this disease can suddenly begin to cause any number of serious health issues for your dog.

Serious Illnesses Caused by Canine Dental Disease

One of the most neglected aspects of a dog's health by owners is their oral health. Many pet owners do not realize that poor dental health in a dog can cause damage to more than just their teeth and gums. Other owners view the cost of dental cleaning or other dental work as being too expensive. The truth is that dental health in your dog can lead to much more costly health issues. Veterinarians across the United States have shared some of the most common illnesses which have been linked to poor canine dental health.

Heart Valve Infections

Bacteria that live in the mouth, especially those along the gum line, can get into the bloodstream and travel and settle into a dog's heart valves. This can lead to a condition known as bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the heart's interior, which can cause permanent damage to cardiac tissues and even lead to heart disease and failure.

Liver Abscesses

Because it is the liver's job to filter, bacteria that is continuously swallowed works its way to the liver and can easily cause infections of the liver. Treatment for liver infections is typically extensive in both time and cost. Worst-case scenarios include canine fatality.

Sepsis (Blood Infection)

Sepsis is a systemic infection that travels anywhere blood goes. When bacteria travel from the mouth into the bloodstream, it can cause this terrible condition. Dogs can survive sepsis with aggressive treatment, but this condition can easily be fatal.

Poor Appetite

Teeth and gum disease, when allowed to progress to extreme levels, can lead to quite a bit of pain for your dog. This pain can then lead to a markedly decreased appetite. This condition poses a higher risk to older animals or those who are already thin or malnourished. Eventually, a decreased appetite can lead to weight deterioration and, if allowed to go long enough, organ failure.

Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)

When dental disease is allowed to progress to extreme levels, it can lead to bone infections or even a broken jaw. Bone infection is incredibly painful for a dog and can lead to life-threatening complications, including a broken maxilla or mandible that may not be able to heal due to bacterial infection. Once these bones break, it's incredibly difficult for them to heal or be fixed.

As you have read, the cost associated with ignoring your dog's dental health can lead to extreme, but not uncommon, consequences. If you believe that your dog's dental health needs should be looked into or if you just want to schedule a routine exam or cleaning, please call Dr. Rand Spongberg at All Creatures Care Cottage in Costa Mesa, CA. To schedule an appointment, call (949) 642-7151.