Did you know that preventive dental care is just as essential to your pet’s overall health as it is to yours? With a reported 80% of dogs and 70% of cats showing signs of dental disease by age three, it’s one of the most common and avoidable pet health problems. I’m passionate about educating pet owners about preventive dental care, so pets can live their best lives.
Home Dental Care
What would happen if you didn’t practice daily dental care for three years? Bad breath, oral pain, periodontal disease, and damage to other body systems? The same things happen to your pet! Teeth are constantly exposed to saliva, food particles and bacteria which combine on the tooth surface to form plaque. If plaque is not removed it will mineralize into tartar, that gritty material that is not easily removed. Tartar is solid and harbors bacteria which lead to inflammation and dental disease.
Daily home dental care is a very important part of maintaining oral health. There are many options for your pet’s home dental care regimen. Each option you use can help, so don’t hesitate to use a combination that fits your lifestyle, ability, and pet’s tolerance levels. A regimen that you can perform daily is better than a regimen that is too difficult to regularly provide. With so many products on the market, it can be difficult to choose which ones are right for your pet. Make sure to discuss options with your veterinarian.
Brushing
Tooth brushing is the gold standard for home dental care. Regular brushing can remove plaque from the tooth surface, below the gum line and between teeth before it hardens into tartar. Most pets can be trained to allow tooth brushing and many may enjoy the process, especially when it is a daily part of their routine.
Just as we teach children to include toothbrushing in their daily schedule, whenever possible, try to brush your pet’s teeth at the same time every day. I recommend starting this regimen with puppies and kittens, so they grow up accustomed to the routine. If you have adopted a more senior pet, don’t despair; it’s not too late to introduce them to this new practice.
I recommend several steps to start a tooth brushing routine. First, choose a brushing implement that is comfortable for you both. There are many options including soft-bristled toothbrushes, finger toothbrushes, gauze, medicated dental wipes or even cotton swabs. You may need to experiment to determine which tool is best for your pet.
Second, start your pet’s dental care routine gently. It’s a learning process that takes time, patience, and positive reinforcement. Never force the issue as negative experiences will make pets resistant to future attempts. Begin by getting your pet used to you touching their face and mouth. Then, get them comfortable with lifting lips and touching teeth and gums. Next, acclimate them to allowing their mouth to be opened gently so you can look inside.
After your pet is accepting and cooperative, initiate step three—brushing. Introduce your pet to your chosen brushing implement. Apply some flavored pet toothpaste and allow them to lick it off, so they start to view it as a treat. Gradually start to brush small areas of the mouth at a time, and slowly build to being able to brush all teeth in one sitting. Your pet will prefer you brushing toward the front of their mouth, but make sure you also spend time on the back teeth. Brush your pet’s teeth with small circular motions, trying to use just enough pressure to be effective in removing plaque, but not cause discomfort. The more time you can spend, the more plaque you will remove.
Finally, remember that some pets may be very protective of their mouth. Make sure neither you nor your pet become injured in this process!
Choosing a Pet-friendly Toothpaste
Never use human toothpaste on your pet. Most contain chemicals such as foaming agents and Xylitol. Since pets are unable to spit toothpaste out, they will swallow toothpaste and these chemicals can be toxic to your pet.
There are almost as many choices of toothpastes for pets as there are for humans. These range from unflavored to chicken, beef, fish, malt, and mint. Finding one that your pet enjoys will enhance the whole brushing experience, making the paste seem like a treat. Some brands also include enzymes which stay in the mouth to digest plaque long after the active brushing is done. With so many options, ask for your veterinarian’s recommendation.
Chewing
Using a pet’s natural desire to chew, dental diets, treats and toys offer convenience. The friction of chewing can remove plaque from the tooth surface. Unlike brushing, chewing may not be as effective in removing plaque from below the gum line and in between teeth.
Dental Diets
Your veterinarian may recommend a dental diet. The texture and shape of the food pieces produce a gentle abrasive effect on the teeth during chewing. Well-formulated dental diets are nutritionally balanced, meaning most pets can eat them as a complete diet or part of a regular daily diet. However, they should not be considered a main nutritional source for puppies, kittens, or pets with special dietary or medical needs.
Dental Chews and Toys
As with dental diets, chewing on dental chews and toys can help reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar. Most dental chews are designed to be given daily. To be effective, the chew should be of the appropriate size and consistency that make sure your pet spends time chewing. Also, the chew should be formulated so that if larger pieces are swallowed, they will easily digest in the stomach and not cause a gastrointestinal blockage.
Appropriate chew toys can also help slow dental disease by their abrasive action, without increasing caloric intake. A good toy is firm but not hard, durable, and of a size that cannot be accidentally swallowed. These are available in many shapes and sizes; some may even have a place to hide treats inside to stimulate more chewing behavior. Refrain from giving your pet hard toys such as hard plastic, bones, and cow hooves which can break or fracture teeth and cause gastrointestinal problems if swallowed.
Veterinary Dental Care
Just as your dentist recommends regular exams, your pet should have their oral health evaluated by your veterinarian on a regular basis, and if you are suspecting any problems at home.
Dental Exams
Regularly scheduled veterinary appointments are crucial to ensuring your pet’s excellent dental health. Veterinarians have years of training and experience in this area and, just like your dentist, can identify and give recommendations on how to address any dental problems. Your veterinarian can also review your tooth brushing technique, discuss your selection of dental products, and determine if professional cleaning is needed.
Make an appointment immediately if you notice any signs of potential dental disease such as bad breath, loose teeth, bleeding, red or swollen gums, a change in eating patterns, or other signs of possible oral discomfort and pain. These signs can indicate significant dental problems which, if left untreated, could result in more serious health issues. Your veterinarian will know how to treat these problems effectively and help you avoid their progression into a more dangerous and expensive situation.
Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT)
If problems are identified or suspected, your veterinarian may recommend scheduling a COHAT. At our practice, this includes a pre-anesthetic work-up to identify any problems that could create challenges for anesthesia. While concerning to many pet parents, anesthesia is a necessary part of a full oral health assessment and treatment. Awake or sedated pets will not allow a complete evaluation, cleaning, or oral surgery. They might also experience pain and discomfort and are at risk of severe complications such as airway obstruction or aspiration of fluids and bacteria-laden tartar into the lungs, leading to pneumonia. When we anesthetize your beloved pet for a dental procedure, we take every precaution to help ensure a safe anesthesia event and recovery.
Once safely anesthetized, we perform a complete oral examination. We check for proper occlusion, the health of teeth and gums, and for any abnormal tissue such as areas of trauma, infection, or abnormal growth. Essential parameters such as gingival pocket depth, tooth structure health, and tooth mobility are taken and recorded. Dental radiographs are taken with a low-radiation digital dental x-ray system to visualize any concerns that may be hidden below the gum line. Using this information, we create a treatment plan which may involve a thorough professional dental cleaning but could include tooth extractions or other oral surgeries.
Professional Cleaning
No matter how dedicated you are to home dental care, at some point your pet will require a professional cleaning to remove built up plaque and tartar. The teeth are carefully scaled to remove plaque and debris from the tooth surface, below the gum line and between teeth. The tooth surfaces are then polished to provide a smooth surface which helps prevent bacteria and plaque from adhering to the tooth surface.
Oral Surgery
If issues are discovered in your pet’s mouth that can’t be corrected with a professional cleaning, oral surgery may be required. This may include gingival grafts to protect tooth roots, extractions to remove significantly diseased teeth, mass removals, and oral defect repairs. Depending on your veterinarian’s level of experience, these procedures may be provided at the hospital or referred to a specialist.
Oral health is a huge part of your pet’s overall health. In many cases, oral disease may be preventable with proper home and professional care. In other cases, regular home care and professional evaluations may detect issues that can be corrected before creating significant health issues. Maintaining your pet’s oral health is a team effort between you and your veterinarian. Remember, healthy mouths make happier pets!
About the Author
Dr. Kevin Wilson has cared for animals with compassion and kindness for the past 20 years. He recently opened 5-Points Animal Hospital at 2200 Audition Drive in Fuquay-Varina. You can learn more about him, his team, and his new veterinary practice at www.5pointsah.com.
