Pet dental care should not take more than a few minutes a day, and for a reward you can have a lively, healthy dog or cat who will live longer--and cost you fewer vet bills. Pet dental health doesn't cost much at all, and the short-term and long-term benefits are huge. By helping your pets avoid gum disease and keep their teeth, you have a better companion and a more care-free buddy.

Volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) are the toxins created by the bacteria in your pet's mouth and by the decay of gingival (gum) cells. In a healthy animal, these cells are replaced every few hours. If the VSC and bacteria are not removed within two or three days, they start to break down the barrier presented by healthy gums. This process allows bacteria to enter your pet's bloodstream, where it can undermine the health of tissue and organs.

VSC and Pet Dental Care

VSC also create halitosis, which is a portent of problems to come. Halitosis is more common in dogs than cats, and in smaller breeds of dogs because their teeth are closer together. Smaller dogs live longer than large dogs, so they have more chance of the VSC/plaque/tartar syndrome developing repeatedly. Then, too, owners of small pets tend to feed softer food, and this is definitely a contributing factor to plaque buildup.

Some animals in need of pet dental care will paw at their mouths, or will develop eating problems in which they do not eat enough. Both are indicators of the need for immediate animal dental care by a veterinarian. These behaviors develop because oral pain keeps the animal from eating, even though it may be hungry. Although these symptoms provide obvious clues to pet owners, they also signify more advanced oral problems. All the more reason for pet owners to heed the early warning sign of halitosis, which tells an owner that pet dental care is needed right away. Proper teeth brushing and the possible addition of vitamins formulated for pets can be effective in deterring these more serious problems.