Dental Health is Critical to Your Pet’s Overall Health

While it may be just as easy to put off that dental exam for our pets just as we sometimes do for ourselves, ignoring your pet’s dental health may create problems for both their oral health and overall health down the road. 

Dental care for pets is one of the easier yet most overlooked elements of providing good health care for our four-legged companions. 

A recent study conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) showed that approximately two-thirds of pet owners do not provide the dental care recommended as essential by veterinarians.  In addition, the American Veterinary Dental Society reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. 

Dental disease is the most common health problem for dogs and cats, occurring in 85 percent of dogs and cats over 6 years of age.  More than 90 percent of dogs and cats with painful dental problems will not show any signs of being in pain.

Dental disease doesn’t affect just the mouth.  It can lead to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease, which makes it even more important that you and your pet develop good dental habits from the start. 

Periondontal/Oral Disease – an infection of the tissue surrounding the teeth that takes hold in progressive stages.

What to Look For:
Common indications of oral disease in pets include:

  • bad breath
  • change in eating or chewing habits
  • pawing at the face or mouth; and
  • depression

If any of these signs are present, take your pet to a veterinarian for a full dental exam.


There are two primary components of your pet’s veterinary dental care: oral examinations and dental cleanings. 

Most veterinarians recommend oral examinations at least annually beginning at one year of age for cats and small-breed dogs, and at two years of age for large-breed dogs.

As your pet ages, your veterinarian will examine her for unusual development of the teeth, the accumulation of plaque and tartar, periodontal disease and oral tumors.

Basic oral examinations can be completed on pets when they are awake. However, a short-term anesthetic is required in order to provide a complete and thorough examination, as well as regular dental cleanings. Sixty percent of dental disease occurs below the gum line.

After a professional cleaning is performed, home care is essential to maintaining good oral health.  A complete home dental care program for your pet will include brushing, as well as, recommended pet food that helps care for your pet’s teeth when she eats.

Incorporating the right pet food into your pet’s daily routine can also help to provide part of the dental care needed to keep your pet healthy.

Your veterinarian can help assess your pet’s needs and recommend which home care products would be best. 

 

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Ken Lee, DVM, is a partner in the Deer Creek Animal Hospital practice who specializes in dentistry.  For more information, please visit, www.dcah.com