How important is pet dental care? 

Many people mention an odor they have noticed associated with their dog's or cat's mouth when talking to their veterinarian, and often they believe this is a normal problem that really doesn't have a solution.  Frequently, the putrid and distasteful smell has been around for years, and they had said nothing about it.  The odor the pet owner describes is the result of tartar, the yellow-brown material that collects over time around the base of an animal's teeth(above photo, large tooth), active bacteria in the tartar, and rotting particles of food lodged around the pet's damaged gums and between teeth. The pet in question has dental disease.  Affecting pets over two years of age most often, this is a complex and destructive oral inflammation and infection that destroys gums, bone and teeth, and in the worst case, threatens your pet's life.  An offensive oral odor is a clue that dental disease is present, but foul breath is actually just the tip of the iceberg. 

Following are pages and pictures that explain and demonstrate correcting this dental and gum damage. Click each link to view the next page:   

 Dental Month, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5