February is National Dental Month and most people probably assume that means it's geared toward keeping people healthy, but veterinarians say oral health should be a priority for pets too.    

Vets at Tiara Rado Animal Hospital in the Redlands say the buildup of bacteria in a pet's mouth can cause bigger problems than just bad breath, and that it's critical for their overall health to have their teeth properly taken care of.

"Just as we've realized dental health for us is very important, it's certainly the same in dogs and cats," explained Dr. Thad Respet.  "It can be very uncomfortable if they have dental disease, and can be a chronic source of inflammation and infection, and also long term can have some systemic repercussions.

Respet says the animal hospital is offering discounted dental cleanings throughout the month of February.