Smile- It’s Pet Dental Health Month!

February has been a busy month! Between Valentine’s Day, school vacation week, and the Super Bowl, you might have missed our favorite happening - its National Pet Dental Health Month, all month long!

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​Dental Disease - What is it, who’s got it? 

​Over 80% of dogs over the age of three have some form of dental disease, as do over 50% of cats over the age of four. Sounds scary… But what does that actually mean? 
While humans mainly worry about cavities and tooth decay, animals suffer from a different host of dental problems. Cats and dogs alike are prone to periodontal disease; that is, infection and inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth, referred to as the periodontium. Periodontal disease is primarily caused by plaque, a slimy film that is “laid down by bacteria on the surface of the tooth, above and below the gum line.” From here the infection spreads into the tooth socket, and can damage bone and cause the loss of teeth. 

Between 20% and 60% of cats also experience some degree of tooth resorption, a condition in which one or several teeth gradually and spontaneously break down. We’d love to talk more about why this very bizarre thing happens, but we actually don’t know! Vets have a few theories, but none are confirmed. Cats are full of mystery, and their teeth are no exception.

Brushing Off Concerns

Dental disease sounds scary, and it’s a simple reality that nearly every pet will experience some degree of dental disease at some point in their life. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do at home to help prevent dental disease, too!
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​You can begin taking care of your pet’s teeth the same way you take care of your own: brushing those pearly whites. Dogs and cats alike benefit from having their teeth brushed, and with a proper routine you can help pets tolerate or even enjoy daily brushings. Start by getting your pet used to having their teeth and gums touched, and then introduce a toothbrush and toothpaste, gradually working up to longer brushing sessions. Be sure to use veterinary-approved brushes and toothpaste, as many human toothpastes in particular have ingredients that are toxic to pets!

In addition to brushing, or if your pet makes brushing a challenge, there are other commercially available products that can help prevent or slow the buildup of plaque. Water additives, dental wipes, and dental chews or diets may all have a place in your pet’s complete dental care picture; as a guideline, the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval can help you identify reputable products.

It’s also important to ensure any toys you give are safe for your pet’s teeth. Our friends at Veterinary Dental Services in Boxborough discourage giving any toy or treat that can’t be bent or indented with your fingernail, as these are hard enough to potentially break teeth. In fact, Vet Dental has put together an entire helpful handout, outlining which toys are tooth-safe and which are a dental no-go. Check it out! 

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Diagnosing Doggy Breath

While dental disease often requires a veterinary exam to detect or confirm, there are other symptoms you may notice at home. Terrible doggy breath might feel normal at times, but it shouldn’t! Alongside bad breath, dental disease also presents as loose or discolored teeth, decreased appetite, difficulty chewing or eating, and swelling, bleeding, or sensitivity around the mouth.

At annual exams your veterinarian will also assess your pet’s teeth for signs or symptoms of dental disease, but there’s a limit to how much can be detected this way. For that reason, if dental disease is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend an anesthetic dental cleaning.

Dental Cleanings and Extractions

Humans have dental cleanings once or twice a year, and even get extractions without the need for general anesthesia. So why do pets need to be put under, just for a scale and polish?

The main answer is that, unlike your pet, you understand why the dentist is poking around and pulling teeth. You may not be enthusiastic about the process, but you cooperate and allow it to happen. The same can’t be said for our pets, who are often already distressed or in pain at the time of a dental procedure. Putting a pet under anesthesia allows the attending veterinarian to more thoroughly examine and clean the entire mouth, including areas under the gum line, which can’t be checked on a standard physical exam.

At the time of a dental procedure, our veterinarians will also take radiographs (x-rays) to get a more complete picture of your pet’s dental health. These radiographs can help to detect problems that are difficult or impossible to detect with the naked eye, and can provide more information as to where and when these dental extractions might be necessary. Pets need to be very still for this process, so it is once again difficult or impossible without anesthesia.

After a dental procedure, your pet may be a little wobbly from anesthesia, and should be monitored for the next 24 hours to the extent possible. You may see a small amount of blood in your pet’s food or water dish, but this is a normal part of recovery and is nothing to be concerned about. If your pet had any dental extractions, you should feed wet food or softened kibble and restrict access to hard toys for 14 days. Owners sometimes worry that their pets will have difficulty eating after dental extractions, but the opposite is true: with those wiggly, painful teeth out of the way, your pet will eat better than ever!

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Let’s Talk Teeth!

If there’s one thing to take away from this article, it’s that your pet will experience dental disease at some point in their life. Fortunately, you’re now well-equipped to face those problems as they come! Hopefully learning about dental disease will make it less scary when you do have to deal with it, and practicing the preventative measures outlined above can help you ensure that day doesn’t come any time soon, either.

Of course, there are only so many questions we can answer in a blog. If you have questions we haven’t answered here, are worried your pet is showing signs of dental disease, or want to schedule a dental cleaning, reach out! We’d love to help you see your pet’s best smile.

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