Dental Care for Pets: Why It Matters and What It Costs

Did you know that by the age of three, 80% of dogs and cats have some form of dental disease?¹ Unfortunately, many of these pets aren't having their dental issues addressed. Dental disease in pets can lead to chronic pain, infection and even damage to the heart, kidneys and other vital organs.

Why Dental Care for Pets Is Important

Imagine if you went your whole life without brushing your teeth. Pretty soon, you might have terrible breath, tartar buildup and painful, swollen gums. That's what can happen to your pet without good oral health care.

The problem is plaque — a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth and under the gingival (gum) tissue. If plaque isn't removed through regular brushing, it hardens into tartar within about 24 to 48 hours. Tartar has a rough surface that harbors more bacteria, allowing new plaque to form more readily. The bacteria harbored in plaque and tartar damage the gingival tissue and the structures supporting the teeth, resulting in pain, inflammation and infection.²

Over time if this isn't addressed, the resulting inflammation and infection can cause significant pain, loosening of the teeth, tooth loss and irreversible damage to the underlying jaw bone. Bacteria can also be absorbed into the bloodstream, where they travel to the heart, liver and kidneys, causing damage to these organ systems.²

Symptoms of Dental Disease in Your Dog or Cat

Symptoms of dental disease in pets can be difficult to spot. Cats and dogs can be very good at hiding pain and discomfort and you may need to pay close attention to your pet to notice symptoms of dental disease. Signs of dental disease in cats and dogs can include:

• Bad breath
• Discoloration of the teeth
• Red, inflamed gums
• Bleeding gums
• Drooling
• Dropping food
• Reluctance to eat hard food
• Difficulty chewing
• Teeth chattering
• Pain

If you notice symptoms of dental disease in your pet, see your veterinarian for an examination. Your veterinarian will perform a full head-to-tail physical examination on your pet, including a full oral examination. He or she will evaluate the extent of your pet's dental disease and will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment for your pet's individual needs.

8 Tips to Help Keep Your Pet's Mouth Healthy

To keep your pet's mouth fresh and healthy, follow these guidelines:

1. Brush your pet's teeth daily

A good way to prevent dental disease is with daily brushing. Use pet-specific toothpaste (no human toothpaste, please!) and a toothbrush, finger brush or dental wipes to gently clean every surface of your pet's teeth. If you can't manage to brush every single day, try to brush as many times a week as you can.

2. Avoid bones, antlers and hard toys

These products may be too hard for your pet's teeth and can cause tooth fractures, leading to pain and infection. A good rule of thumb is if you can't indent the toy or chew with your thumbnail, it's too hard for your pet's teeth and could lead to a fracture.

3. Choose dental chews and treats

To help reduce plaque and tartar, look for chews and treats labeled with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. These products have been tested and proven to prevent plaque and tartar, and regular use can help keep your pet's mouth fresh and healthy.

4. Consider a dental diet

A prescription veterinary dental diet can help clean your pet's teeth at every meal! These special diets have been developed to help clean plaque from your pet's teeth as your pet chews, and they've been proven to reduce plaque and prevent tartar formation. Ask your veterinarian if this type of diet would be right for your pet.

5. Use a water additive

Dental water additives are odorless and flavorless, so your pet won't notice that you've added something extra to their bowl. These products help prevent plaque formation every time your pet takes a drink. Look for products labeled with the VOHC seal to find a product that's proven to prevent plaque and tartar.

6. Avoid anesthesia-free dental cleanings

If it sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. Anesthesia-free dental cleanings are ineffective, dangerous and scary for your pet. They also don't address bacterial buildup beneath the gum line, which is where the majority of dental disease resides. The American Veterinary Dental College deems these procedures inappropriate.

7. See your veterinarian regularly for examinations

It's important to catch dental disease early before irreversible damage occurs. Our pets are also very good at hiding their discomfort and it may be difficult to catch dental problems at home. Regular examinations with your veterinarian can identify and address dental disease before it becomes a major problem for your pet.

8. Get a professional dental cleaning when required

Your veterinarian may recommend a professional dental cleaning under general anesthesia for your pet. This is the only safe and effective way to address dental disease once it has started. The sooner your pet gets this procedure, the better, as dental disease is a progressive condition that will worsen over time, often leading to irreversible damage to the teeth and associated structures.

How Often Does My Pet Need A Dental Cleaning?

Once tartar forms on the teeth, the only way to remove it is through professional dental cleaning by a veterinarian. How often your pet needs this procedure will vary depending on several factors including your home dental care routine, your pet's genetics and the size of your pet. For example, small dogs may need more frequent dental cleanings, due to crowding of the teeth that predisposes them to dental disease.

Some pets need a dental cleaning every six months, while others can go years between dental cleanings as long as they receive good home dental care. The best way to extend your time between dental cleanings is to brush your pet's teeth daily. This removes plaque before it can harden into tartar, preventing dental disease.¹

What Happens During a Veterinary Dental Procedure?

A veterinary dental procedure may be performed either by your general practice veterinarian or by a board-certified veterinary dentist. Prior to the procedure, your veterinarian will first examine your pet's mouth while your pet is awake. This allows your veterinarian to plan the procedure and discuss the treatment plan with you. During the procedure, your pet is placed under general anesthesia. This allows your pet to remain calm and comfortable throughout the duration of the procedure and ensures that both your pet and the veterinary staff are safe during the procedure.

While under general anesthesia, your pet's mouth is fully examined, intra-oral radiographs (x-rays) are taken to assess the health of the teeth and the teeth are scaled and polished. Depending on the severity of your pet's dental issue, oral surgery may also be performed to address any diseased or fractured teeth. If your pet's procedure is performed by a veterinary dentist, advanced techniques such as endodontics may also be used.

Following the procedure, your pet will recover from the anesthesia at the veterinary clinic and will typically go home later the same day. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's guidelines for follow-up care and give any medications as prescribed.

Cost of Pet Dental Care

The cost of pet dental care varies depending on several factors including the severity of the dental disease, whether or not oral surgery is needed, the size of your pet and your geographic location.