Pets Need Dental Care, Too!

For most of us, caring for our teeth and gums has been part of our daily routine for as long as we can remember.  Just like it is for you, oral health care is important for pets. Regular, professional care from veterinarians can help keep plaque removed. Brushing your pet’s teeth at home and offering special dental treats can also help. 

Pet Dental Facts

Periodontal disease is the most prevalent disease among dogs and cats. 80% of dogs and cats show signs of oral disease by age three, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS). Periodontal disease is common in dogs of smaller breeds because dogs’ teeth often are too large for their mouths, forcing the teeth closer together.  Dogs start out with 28 deciduous (baby) teeth, cats start out with 26 deciduous teeth.  By six months of age, these baby teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth, 42 in the dog and 30 in the cat.  Broken teeth are a common problem for dogs, especially among outdoor dogs.  According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs. Odontal clastic resorptive lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats.  Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Plaque is a colorless film that contains large amounts of bacteria.  If left unchecked, plaque builds up, creating infection, destroying gums and resulting in the loss of the tissues and bone that support the teeth.  Preventive oral care can reduce the formation of plaque and help maintain proper oral health throughout a pet’s life.

Signs of Periodontal Disease

All pets are at risk for developing dental problems.  Once a pet displays any of the warning signs below, serious periodontal disease may be present.

• Tooth loss
• Subdued behavior
• Abnormal drooling
• Dropping food out of the mouth
• Swallowing food whole
• Bad breath
• Yellow-brown crust on teeth
• Bleeding gums
• Going to the food bowl, but not eating
• Change of chewing or eating habits