Dental Care for Your Pet

Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets, fortunately, oral disease is preventable and, even if preventive measures are not practiced, oral disease can be controlled and sometimes reversed.

Cats have 26 baby teeth that are replaced by 30 adult teeth at about three to six months of age. Dogs have 28 baby teeth and, at about four months of age, begin to get their 42 adult teeth. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, which sponsors National Pet Dental Health Month every February, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of gum disease by the age of three.

Oral disease can cause pain in your pet's mouth. Common signs to be aware of are bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face, lethargy, and depression. Preventive care and regular checkups can keep your pet's mouth healthy. Many factors contribute to the prevalence and severity of gum disease, including breed, genetics, age, diet, chewing behavior, and general health.

As in people, oral problems begin when bacteria combine with saliva and food debris, forming plaque, in the pockets between the teeth and gums. Left untreated, plaque accumulates. As calcium salts are deposited, the plaque becomes tartar. The buildup of bacteria, plaque, and tartar causes inflammation of the gingiva, or gums, a condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis is reversible and can be treated with thorough cleaning and continued plaque control. If the tartar is not removed from your pet's teeth, pockets of pus may appear along the gum line and separate the tooth from the gum and underlying bone. This condition is called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is more severe than gingivitis and is irreversible. However, the progression of periodontal disease can be stopped with cleaning and plaque control. Symptoms include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gumline, red, swollen, tender gums, receding gums, oral pain and dysfunction, and persistent bad breath.

It is important to remember that periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, that not only may lead to tooth loss but can spread to other organs. It may increase the risk for disease in the heart, liver, and kidneys. Oral disease may also affect your pet's behavior and sociability with others. Small breed dogs are more prone to periodontal disease than large dogs because the teeth are often too large for their small mouths resulting in crowding of the teeth and rapid plaque accumulation.




Pet owners can take steps to prevent oral disease:

Brush your pet's teeth using a toothbrush or a finger brush and
a specially formulated pet toothpaste.

Human toothpaste can upset your pet's digestive system.
Feed only pet food. Table scraps can increase plaque and
tartar build-up as well as upset your pet's nutritional balance.
Special dental foods help clean pets' teeth as they chew.
Ask your veterinarian if such a food is appropriate as a daily diet for your pet.
Foods with dental benefits can also be used as treats.

If your pet bites hard on chew toys then use only soft toys.
Hard chew toys can break teeth in both dogs and cats.

An annual dental examination should be part of a complete checkup.







For more information on pet care,
please contact a Priest Lake veterinarian.

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