Dental Home Care for Dogs and Cats
The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends a full dental cleaning every six months for your pet, just the same as your dentist recommends for you. Still, imagine what that cleaning procedure would be like for you if you did not brush your teeth at all between dental visits.
Dental home care is the single most important aspect of regular dental care. With proper home care, your pet may not need that six month dentistry, thus saving you the expense and your pet the extra anesthetic.
Why should I brush my dog's or cat's teeth?
Unless your pet's teeth are brushed daily, plaque, which is an accumulation of bacteria, will build up at the gum line. Eventually calculus forms, further irritating the gums, and then infection progresses to loosen and destroy the attachment of the tooth. In addition to loose teeth, infection under the gumline can spread to the liver, kidneys, and heart. Brushing the teeth every day is the #1 way to prevent the process.
How can I brush my animal's teeth?
First pick a soft-bristled, or finger toothbrush. Next, get toothpaste from your veterinarian. Do not use human toothpaste because it has detergents that should not be swallowed. If your pet does not like the toothbrush, try your finger with the toothpaste. Introduce the brush first, then the toothpaste as a treat, and then combine them. Give it time and patience because some pets need to warm to the idea.
What if my pet refuses tooth brushing?
Some cats and dogs will not allow anyone to reach into their mouths for any reason and will not tolerate brushing, spraying, rinsing or any other home care. For these animals dental treats represent an excellent method of dental home care. All pets should be under observation while chewing on toys or treats. They will not help the teeth if they are ingested in large chunks, and this can cause problems. We recommend a treat daily for routine home care.
- CET chews by Virbac are rawhide like treats that are designed to clean the teeth but not upset the stomach.
- A more homeopathic option is to purchase frozen marrow bones form the Publix Deli. Allow your dog the chew it, then replace in the freezer. Cooked bones tend to splinter. Also, avoid this option if your pet has food allergies or a sensitive stomach.
- Feline dental treats are freeze dried fish pieces specially treated with enzymatic dentrifice to help remove plaque.
- Kong chews and Greenies are newer options that are recommended by many veterinary dentists.
How often does my pet need to have teeth cleaned by the veterinarian?
It depends on the degree of plaque and tartar accumulation. You need to examine your pet's teeth monthly. Look for an accumulation of yellow or brown material at the area where the tooth meets the gumline especially over the cheek teeth (in the back) and canines (fang-like front teeth). ?Once you notice plaque or tartar accumulation, it is time for a professional cleaning. Do not wait.
Attached to the tartar are bacteria, which irritate gum tissues. When treated, the inflammation will resolve. When gingivitis is left untreated, it will progress to periodontitis, which is non-curable.
The intervals between teeth cleaning procedures will depend on how often you can brush your pet's teeth. Once or twice daily cleaning is optimum. If you cannot brush the teeth, then your pet will probably need at least 1 cleaning per yearly.
Can I just take my fingernail or a dental scaler to remove the calculus?
No because dental disease occurs below the gum line. By removing calculus from the tooth, you are not removing disease below the gum line. In order to thoroughly help your pet, plaque and calculus must be removed from below the gum line.
Do you have to use anesthesia to clean my pet's teeth?
Yes, anesthesia is necessary when performing teeth cleaning. Anesthesia provides three important functions: immobilization in order to clean below the gum line, pain control, and the ability to place a tube into the windpipe, so bacterial products do not enter the respiratory system.
I am concerned about the anesthesia. Is it safe?
We take every effort to provide safe anesthesia. We use gas anesthetic agents; dogs and cats are given pre-operative tests depending on their age and condition to qualify them for anesthesia; and patients are monitored while anesthetized both visibly and with similar monitoring devices as used in human hospitals.
What is involved in the teeth cleaning at your hospital?
- general exam before anesthesia, pre-operative organ testing IV catheter placement for pain injections, antibiotics, and blood pressure support while under anesthesia
- oral exam under anesthesia
- calculus removal
- subgingival (below the gumline) scaling
- tooth polishing
- irrigation
- dental charting to create a treatment plan
- Extractions of diseased teeth (if necessary)
- home care instructions
How much does a tooth cleaning procedure cost?
It is impossible to determine the exact costs of the procedure in advance because we do not know the status of your pet's teeth and gums until they are under anesthesia. There are four levels of teeth cleanings at our hospital. Fees are based on severity plus costs for preoperative testing, anesthesia, necessary therapy, and medication.
Fees for all dental services are available by e-mail or phone calls. The doctor or staff will provide an initial treatment plan based on exam room findings and a follow up treatment plan with fees after a tooth-by-tooth exam is conducted under anesthesia. We usually obtain a cell phone or work number so that we can reach you to adjust the plan once we get a good assessment of the teeth while the patient is under anesthesia.
What toys should I avoid to protect my pet's teeth?
Chewing on objects harder than teeth may lead to dental fractures. Be especially careful with cow and horse hoofs and traditional Nylabones?. They commonly cause fractures of the upper fourth premolars. Tug-of-war games must not be practiced, especially in young dogs and cats in order to avoid moving growing teeth to abnormal locations. Throwing dogs discs can also cause trauma to the teeth, resulting in pulpitis (an inflammation of the pulp).
What are cat cavities?
Many cats get painful lesions at the gum line that invade teeth. They are properly referred to as tooth resorptions. Unfortunately we do not know what causes tooth resorption, and the most effective treatment involves extraction of the affected tooth.
How can I tell if my pet is suffering from periodontal disease?
The leading sign is bad breath. Dogs and cats should not have disagreeable mouth odor. Bad breath comes from infection. If your pet's breath does not smell like roses, let us examine its mouth and advise care.
What type of tests are done to diagnose dental disease?
If your pet has periodontal disease or a fractured tooth, an oral exam is performed while under anesthesia. A periodontal probe is used to evaluate bone loss around each tooth.
When do I have to start worrying about dental problems with my pet?
As soon as puppy or kitten teeth emerge, its time to start brushing. Although baby teeth are replaced with adult teeth, the puppy or kitten gets used to the brushing procedure, which continues for life.
What can be done if my pet has periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease occurs when tooth support structures are affected by infection. In the beginning stages, cleaning above and below the gum line as well as removal of calculus attached to the tooth will help restore periodontal health. In advanced cases, either periodontal surgery, root canals, or extractions are performed.
Which animals are at most risk for periodontal disease?
Smaller breeds are more prone than larger because the teeth are closer together in small dogs, and they usually live longer. Schnauzers, Terriers, Maltese, and Shih Tzus are especially prone to periodontal disease. Grey Hounds tend to build up tartar as well.
Should I worry about a broken tooth?
You cannot leave the tooth alone with an exposed nerve. In addition to pain, infection will soon develop that can spread to the rest of your pet's body.
What can you do to fix a broken tooth?
If your dog or cat breaks a tooth, there are two treatments: root canal therapy or extraction.
View dental images...Sources:
1. Vin Veterinary LIbrary : Dental Home Care By Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP (Small Animal General Health Specialist)
2. VIn Veterinary Library : Toothbrushing By Jan Bellows D.V.M. DipAVDC (Dental Specialist for pets)
3. Periodontal disease burden and pathological changes in organs of dogs J Vet Dent. June 2008;25(2):97-105.