Do my dog and cat need dental care?

Proper dental care is an important component of protecting your pet’s overall health and well-being. The basic structures surrounding the teeth and gums are the same in dogs, cats, many other animals and humans. Without proper care, these structures become diseased. Approximately 80% of dogs and cats have evidence of oral disease by the age of 3 years. Periodontal disease is the most prevalent disease among dogs and cats.

Local affects from oral disease can range from halitosis, to local infections, to severe pain. There are a lot of nerve endings in the mouth. Even with mild gingivitis, as opposed to severe periodontitis with loose teeth, the pain can be severe. The most frequent tooth problem in cats, a resorptive lesion, is extremely painful. Even under anesthesia with good pain control cats react profoundly to stimulation of these lesion. This affects the quality of life dramatically.

Rarely will a dog or cat refuse to eat when oral pain is present. However, changes in eating or chewing habits may be noted along with changes in behavior. It is amazing how much better a pet will feel after proper treatment of a painful tooth.

In addition to the local effects, studies show that similar to humans, oral disease in dogs and cats affects the rest of the body. The gingiva (the tissues surrounding the teeth) has a very large blood supply. When these tissues become inflamed, it becomes very easy for bacteria to enter these small blood vessels and travel to other parts of the body. During chewing, bacteria enter the blood supply at about 1000 times the rate that occurs from a single tooth extraction.

Major organ systems affected include the heart valves, heart muscle, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Periodontal disease in humans is thought to be one of the many risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, we cannot think of the mouth as an isolated area.

There are many products on the market to help promote oral hygiene in dogs and cats. There are a wide variety of dental chews, dental wipes, water additives, dental flushes, toothpastes and brushes, sealants, and even foods available.

Dental care should start when the pet is very young. This will get the dog or cat in the habit of getting its teeth cared for. Daily brushing is considered the gold standard. Brushing with toothpaste designed for dogs and cats will remove plaque (the soft material that can be scraped off with a fingernail) before it can turn into calculus (the concretion that dentists use metal instruments to scrape off). The brushing also stimulates the gingiva to promote gum health.

Once calculus develops, the only way to remove it is during a professional dental cleaning. During this dental procedure, the teeth are cleaned and polished just like when you go to the dentist. The biggest difference between a human visit to the dentist and dentistry visit for a pet is the anesthesia. Dogs and cats will not allow us to clean, polish, or even adequately examine their teeth without anesthesia. Almost any procedure that can be done in humans is possible in a dog or cat with a referral to a veterinary dentist.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. The "Pets Need Dental Care, Too^TM" campaign encourages pet owners to better understand the importance of dental care for their pets. The simple three-step program suggests:

Step 1: Take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental exam.

Step 2: Begin a dental care regimen at home.

Step 3: Schedule regular veterinary checkups.

More information on National Pet Dental Health Month can be found at www.petdental.com.

Many veterinary clinics offer special promotions on dental care services during this month. Call your veterinarian to have your pet’s teeth evaluated and help your pet have a healthier and more comfortable life.

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