Dental plaque is a soft whitish or yellowish film that is created naturally on the surface of the teeth after meals.
It protects enamel from the wear that acidic substances in the diet can cause. However, in turn, it allows certain bacteria and other microorganisms to grow and proliferate in the mouth.
Within a few hours, that film begins to harden and mineralize by joining with the salts present in the saliva. That way, tartar (a harder consistency plaque) is formed, and usually accumulates between the teeth and in the groove where the tooth meets the gum, which may result in calcification and the creation of stones over time.
Tartar allows bacteria to grow easily, causing inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), sensitivity and pain, bleeding or even loss of pieces. These bacteria can get into the bloodstream and travel to other places far away, such as the heart or the kidneys, causing serious diseases.
This problem is much more frequent than we think and can have dire consequences for our pets’ health. Hence the importance of being attentive to the following signs:
- Bad breath
- Lack of appetite
- Bleeding gums
- Inflammation of the gums
- Tartar
- Loss of teeth
If you have observed any of these symptoms, we advise you to take your dog or cat to your veterinarian for a check-up and take a look at our products for oral health maintenance: Natura diet Odontic and Oral Clean, which will help you control the appearance of tartar and bad breath in a comfortable and simple way.