You might not realize how important it is for health and wellness purposes to have your pet’s teeth cleaned and examined on a regular basis — once a year for most dogs and cats, and even more frequently for pets with particular dental problems (and geriatric animals). But dental conditions can sneak up on a pet overtime, doing significant damage along the way. Periodontal disease, for instance, starts with tartar buildup on the teeth, which attracts bacteria that trigger inflammatory reactions in the gum tissue. This inflammation can actually cause your dog or cat to lose his teeth. Damaged teeth may also allow bacteria to enter the pulp chamber, infecting the tooth, jawbone, and possibly even threatening other teeth. Oral cancer may not reveal itself to pet owners until this deadly disease is already well advanced. These and other issues can be nipped in the bud through preventative dental care,