How the Bacteria in Your Pets’ Mouths Affects Their Organ Health

What’s Going On in Your Pets’ Mouth?

Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and inflammation of the tissues in the mouth. When the gums become inflamed, enzymes start to break down the connective tissues surrounding the teeth. This breakdown of tissues allows harmful bacteria that naturally reside in your pets’ mouths to pass through the tissue and into the bloodstream, where it can affect the liver, kidneys and heart.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association , 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three – a startling statistic for sure.

How Do You Know if Your Pet Has Periodontal Disease?

The hallmark symptom of periodontal disease in pets is bad breath. I’m not talking about run-of-the-mill dog or cat breath, but the kind of breath that makes you turn your head away when your kitty or pooch comes looking for a smooch.

If you mention that breath to your vet, he’s likely to recommend that you brush your pets’ teeth – a task that can be messy and stressful for both you and your pet.

Is There Another Way to Improve My Pets’ Breath?

Actually, there’s a very simple way to eliminate stinking breath. By adding pet oral probiotics to your pets’ food once daily, you can improve the population of good bacteria in your pets’ mouths.

These beneficial bacteria – or probiotics – eat the same foods and populate the same areas of the mouth as harmful bacteria. When you give the beneficial bacteria the upper hand, they return the favor by pushing out the harmful bacteria. And with that, viola! Bye-bye bad breath.

Follow Teddy’s Pride on Twiter.