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Pets
Need Dental Care Too
American Veterinary Medical Association
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What does tartar do to the teeth?
If tartar is allowed to remain on the teeth, several things may
happen.
The tartar will mechanically push the gums away from the
roots of the teeth. This allows the teeth to loosen in their sockets and infection to
enter the root socket. The teeth will loosen and fall out or have to be extracted.
Infection will accumulate in the mouth, resulting in
gingivitis, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis (sore throat). Although antibiotics may
temporarily suppress the infection, if the tartar is not removed from the teeth, infection
will return quickly.
Infection within the mouth will be picked up by the blood
stream and carried to other parts of the body. Some kidney and heart disease may be caused
by this infection.
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