While some folks might joke about their pet’s stinky breath, the truth is that poor dental health is no laughing matter.
Bad breath, sore gums, and less-than-pearly-white teeth aren’t the only things to worry about for your pet’s oral health. Periodontal disease, the condition caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth that allows bacteria to invade and damage the surrounding tissue, can also lead to oral pain, trouble eating, and teeth that become so loose that they fall out of your pet’s mouth. If left untreated, bacteria can even enter the bloodstream, which can cause serious problems for the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Even pets who are diligently and lovingly cared for are at risk for developing periodontal disease. In fact, if your dog or cat is no longer a puppy or kitten, there’s a good chance that they are at least in an early stage of this condition. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 8% of dogs and 70% of cats develop periodontal disease by the time they are three years old.
Don’t take that to mean hope is lost, however! Between your veterinary care team and the variety of veterinarian-approved products designed to help you improve and maintain your pet’s oral health at home, you can keep your furry friend’s chompers strong and healthy for years to come.
Why prevention is preferred, and how to begin
The very best way to ensure your pet’s teeth and gums remain in great shape is to start with excellent oral hygiene practices right away. This is because while the early stages of periodontal disease can be reversed with veterinary care, the later stages can’t be. So, it’s important to do as much as you can to keep your pet from getting to the point where the only solution is to lose one or more of their teeth.
Brushing your pet’s teeth daily might sound daunting, but as with other types of grooming, it can be a productive and enjoyable bonding experience if your pet is introduced to it early using reward-based training. (Plus, when you become more familiar with their mouths, you’ll be better able to identify when something doesn’t seem quite right.) Dog- and cat-specific toothpastes, toothbrushes, and anti-plaque wipes can be safe and effective options for your pets since they’re designed for canine and feline mouths.
That’s not the only way to address dental concerns in pets, however. Other products, including water additives and sprays, prescription dental diets, and chew treats, are also great options.
Wondering which products are best? Products for cats and dogs with the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) Seal of Acceptance have been shown to help control plaque and/or tartar. If you have questions about what products would be most appropriate for your pet, talking to your veterinarian is the best first step.
No better time to start than now
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends a complete anesthetic dental cleaning (including polishing and dental x-rays — more on this below!) by the age of 1 for cats and small- to medium-sized dog breeds; this recommendation is pushed out to 2 years of age for larger-breed dogs.
That being said, it’s never too early to start showing a puppy or kitten that having their mouth or teeth touched doesn’t have to be scary. Providing them with treats, pets, and praise as you gently touch their mouths will help them remain comfortable with brushing and wiping their teeth when they’re older. Regular teeth brushing should ideally be a habit by the time your pet has all their permanent teeth (around six months of age) so that you can prevent the buildup of tartar and the start of periodontal disease.
While it may take a little more time and patience, this approach also works for pets at any age! Don’t be discouraged if your pet is well into his or her adult years; even if you can’t quite convince them to allow you to actively get in there and brush, using more passive products (like water additives and chews) can help you keep things under control between professional cleanings.
Breed-specific concerns
Some types of dogs and cats are more prone to dental issues than others. According to the 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, cats and dogs who are smaller than 25 pounds when fully grown will require more involved dental care and prevention than larger dogs.
Additionally, brachycephalic, or smoosh-nosed, breeds like bulldogs and Persian cats tend to have rotation and crowding of teeth, which leads to more dental issues.
What to know about veterinary dental cleanings
A complete veterinary dental cleaning includes several important steps. First, your veterinarian will examine your pet’s mouth while they’re awake (if possible); this will give them an idea of whether periodontal disease exists, and if it does, how advanced it is. Understanding what level of disease exists and whether any teeth are clearly fractured or loose will help the veterinarian begin to develop an appropriate care plan.
The other steps require pets to be anesthetized, and there are a couple of reasons for this. For one thing, the X-rays required to get a full view of their oral health must be taken while the animal is totally still, which we all know is next to impossible for a pet who’s awake and in an unfamiliar environment.
Beyond that, however, is the fact that the other steps (like scaling and polishing the teeth, periodontal probing of the teeth, irrigating beneath the gum line with water or air, and extracting any teeth) would be dangerous, painful, frightening, and/or impossible for a conscious pet. You may find veterinarians (and non-veterinarians) who offer anesthesia-free dental cleanings, but this is far from thorough and, even worse, can provide pet parents with a false sense of security because any issues beyond the gum line remain unseen and unaddressed.
It can be scary and stressful to think about putting your pet under anesthesia, but the good news is that the risks to your pet are very low, and the benefits are immeasurable. Veterinary teams are very skilled at keeping your pet safe under anesthesia, and the sooner and more often you bring your pet for their veterinary dental care, the higher the chance that their procedure will be shorter with less need for extractions and other invasive treatments.
Remember, dental care isn’t just about clean teeth and fresh breath, and a lack of attention to dental health in our pets can lead to serious health issues and discomfort. Thankfully, your veterinary team can guide you to prevent and treat your dog’s periodontal disease and help keep them happy and healthy for longer.
