Dental Care

Heather Kernan, DVM

Sweet puppy kisses, there is just nothing like it. But when your loved one’s breath can clear a room and you don’t want to get close it may be time to lift that lip and take a good look at your pet’s teeth. The teeth should be pearly white and the gums pink and healthy. However, most of our pets have evidence of periodontal disease by the time they are 2 years old. If dental disease is allowed to go unchecked it will progress to cause pain and tooth loss.

There are simple ways to improve your pet’s dental health. Brushing daily is the gold standard and it is easiest if you start when he is young. Small soft bristled brushes, fingertip brushes and toothpaste in fun flavors like poultry can make tooth brushing time treat time. If your pet is not used to brushing it may take some time for him to get used to it. I recommend keeping it low key at first and even just using your finger to gently massage the outside of your pet’s teeth.  It is very similar to brushing an infant’s teeth. Feel free to ask your veterinarian to demonstrate how. Also make sure to use veterinary specific toothpaste because xylitol and fluoride in human products can be toxic to pets.

If brushing is not an option because of your pet’s temperament or severity of disease there are other options available. There are special rinses, diets, treats, and chewable products that may be a good choice for your pet. Look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of acceptance on dental products. The council actually reviews products’ claims and their ability to control plaque and tartar.

Just like we should go to the dentist every 6 months for dental cleanings and exams, our pets need to go to the veterinarian to have their teeth checked too. Your veterinarian can help formulate a dental plan for you and your pet. Part of that plan may include an annual dental exam and cleaning under general anesthesia. A typical dental exam and cleaning under anesthesia includes an exhaustive oral exam looking closely at tooth and gum health which is just not possible in an animal that is awake. Plaque is also scaled off the crown of the tooth and most importantly underneath the gum line where periodontal disease is most active. Finally, the teeth are polished and if any oral surgery or x-rays are needed it is also done at that time.

You may have heard of anesthesia free dental cleanings. These are purely cosmetic and do not take care of the disease below the gum line. What we see is only the tip of the iceberg with dental disease. Your pet’s teeth can actually be damaged by sharp tools if not used properly or he may be left with a painful condition that was not properly detected. Concerns about anesthesia are valid and your veterinarian takes it seriously as well. Share any apprehensions you have about anesthesia with your veterinarian. Ask questions and maybe even ask for a tour or demonstration of what happens during your pet’s dental work.

Routine dental care can spare your pet a lot of pain and you a lot of expense. Consider this, a routine cleaning and exam only takes about 20 minutes. However, with end stage dental disease oral surgery is required to eliminate the painful and diseased teeth from the mouth. With additional surgery there is additional cost such as longer anesthesia time, pain medications and antibiotics. Also with routine care you may spare your pet emergency dental work when they are older or have other health conditions that may increase the risk of anesthesia. Dental care is important to the quality of your pet’s life. Helping your best friend keep his mouth clean and comfortable is something to smile about.