Pet dental health

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Published on Thursday, January 28, 2016

Submitted by Dr. Marie North

Carberry Small Animal Vet Clinic

 February is often promoted as Pet Dental Health month in the veterinary industry.  One of the greatest challenges I face as a vet is explaining dental disease to my clients.  Many owners are unaware of their pet’s dental health beyond bad breath.  Frequently I will diagnose broken or missing teeth, abscesses or growths. One of the reason owners are unaware is because you can only see some of the teeth in a dog whose mouth is open, never mind a cat. The most common clinical sign of dental disease? None. 

Most cats and dogs will continue to eat regardless of their dental health. Whether or not your pet is eating is usually an indicator of other health problems.

Dental disease is the most common disease in our companion animals.  An estimated 80 per cent of animals have signs of dental disease by the age of one.  Dental disease does not mean that an animals’ teeth are rotting or ready to fall out.  It is a continuum that progresses from plaque to tartar formation, gingivitis, periodontal disease and permanent tooth damage.  Plaque is the biofilm of bacteria that grows in the mouth.  The plaque then hardens into tartar on your teeth.  The concerning thing about dental disease is that it can lead to many other problems such as tooth loss, oral pain, bad breath, and heart or kidney disease. Frequently owners will tell me that their pet is simply “slowing down” due to age.  In seniors who receive a dental, owners are usually quite surprised at the vitality that returns.  The constant shedding of bacteria from their mouth into their body is a daily challenge to their immune system.

There are several tools available to you to help combat dental disease and keep your pet healthy.  Tooth brushing is by far the most successful tool at minimizing dental disease.  There are many toothpastes that are formulated for pets that are either beef or chicken flavored.  These pastes are meant to be digested and are safe to swallow.  You can either use a regular toothbrush or a finger toothbrush.  It is best to get your pet used to teeth brushing from a young age.  Many adult pets however can be trained to accept tooth brushing as well.  Brushing two to three times a week is ideal.

Many diets have been developed for dental care.  The kibble are developed to have a mechanical cleaning action to them as the pet bites into it.  Unfortunately, unless it is a specific dental diet, regular kibble is unlikely to have any benefit on the teeth, it just crumbles as soon as they bite into it.  For a long time we thought kibble was better for cats and their teeth.  

We now know that is not the case and that canned food is preferred.  There is no doubt that pets who chew have better arcades.  Take advantage of those chew toys and treats which promote dental health.  Remember, they are meant as treats and too many could lead to obesity.

There are also products which can be added to your pet’s water.  These by and large mask the bad breath and some pets will refuse to drink that water.  There are certainly more effective and tastier options for your pet.  Yet anecdotally, some people swear by them.

You brush your pet’s teeth and give them dental food; that still does not mean your pet will have a healthy mouth. Unfortunately, there are many breeds which we have bred to have crowded teeth with overbites and under bites.  Dental care may delay the need for a dental or prolong the duration between dental cleaning recommendations.  In general, I try to advise owners when their pets are young if they are prone to dental disease.  Oral health is one of the many things assessed during annual wellness exams.  While their eyes may be the window to their soul, their mouth is the window to their body, so remember to take care of that too!