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Dogs and cats will develop plaque and tartar on their
teeth at some point in their lives, regardles of their
diet or chewing habits. You and your veterinarian
should regularly have your pet's teeth checked and cleaned
if necessary, to prevent tooth loss.
Although cavities occur in our pets, more commonly,
disease AROUND the tooth, known as peridontal
disease occurs. This is caused by accumulation
of plaque and tartar around the gum line just above
the tooth.
Left alone, this accumulation can continue, and cause
the gum to recede, or fade away, exposing the root.
Root exposure can lead to infection, abscess formation,
bad breath, and finally loss of the tooth.
Small dogs are more prone to plaque and tartar buildup,
especially breeds with "pushed in" faces (Lhasa
Apso, Shih tzu, pug) as their teeth tend to "crowd"
together in their mouths.
Tartar and plaque tend to buildup on the back upper
teeth especially in both dogs and cats, where the front
teeth may show very little buildup. Always check
ALL teeth when looking in your pet's mouth.
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