Pets say: Take care of our teeth, too!

By Dr. Beth Leermakers

February is Pet Dental Care month. Many pet parents (including myself, I’m embarrassed to admit) don’t pay enough attention to their pets’ teeth, and that oversight can have serious consequences. Periodontal (gum) disease is the most common clinical condition in adult cats and dogs. Eighty percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease by age three. 

The risk of periodontal disease is greater in smaller dogs because their teeth are more crowded in their smaller mouths. Other than bad breath, the signs of gum disease aren’t always obvious to pet parents, so professional dental cleaning and treatment may come too late to prevent disease progression and loss of teeth. 

Periodontal disease starts when bacteria in your pet’s mouth form plaque that sticks to the teeth. Minerals in saliva harden the plaque into tartar that’s attached to the teeth. When plaque and tartar spread under the gum line, bacteria damage the supporting tissues around the teeth, eventually resulting in loss of the affected teeth. 

What can you do to prevent gum disease?

Brush your pet’s teeth. Brushing your cat’s or dog’s teeth is the most effective way to maintain her teeth between professional cleanings. Brushing teeth disrupts the plaque that causes gum disease. To be effective, tooth brushing needs to be done at least three times per week — preferably daily. 

Most cats and dogs will tolerate having their teeth brushed if you introduce the process gradually. Start by allowing your pet to lick the dentrifice (toothpaste or powder) off your finger, then let her lick the toothpaste off the toothbrush. Then gradually put the toothbrush (specifically designed for cats or dogs) in her mouth and add the brushing motions. Some pets prefer finger brushes instead of toothbrushes. Be sure to use a toothpaste specifically made for pets. The pet-appealing flavors (poultry and seafood) will make the experience more rewarding and pleasant for everyone involved. Human toothpastes should NOT be used; they often contain abrasives and detergents that shouldn’t be swallowed. Cats tend to be pickier than dogs about oral hygiene products. Finding the right products and flavors and getting your cat used to having his teeth brushed may take a month or two. Slow and gradual is the way to go. 

Use a chlorhexidine oral rinse or gel. Chlorhexidine, a disinfectant that kills the bacteria in your pet’s mouth, is the most effective antiseptic to prevent plaque. Some pets may object to the bitter taste, but flavors may mask the bitterness. Application is easy. Just squirt the oral rinse inside the cheek on both sides of the mouth or smear the gel on the teeth. 

Feed a dental diet or dental chews. Specially-formulated “dental diets” have been shown to reduce dental disease. The kibble may be specially designed to scrub the teeth as your pet chews, or it may contain a chemical anti-tartar ingredient. Dental chews can be helpful if chewed daily. Look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance on home oral hygiene products that meet their standard for slowing the formation of plaque and tartar. Visit VOHC.org (click the Products Awarded the VOHC Seal link) for a complete list of approved products.   

Choose chew toys wisely. Appropriate chew toys can help slow dental disease because of their abrasive action. Don’t give your dog hard chew toys. The American Veterinary Dental College doesn’t recommend giving your dog cow hooves, dried natural bones, elk antlers or hard nylon products (think Nylabone) because they’re too hard and can lead to broken teeth or damaged gums. 

A good chew toy is bendable, softer than teeth, and not so small it can be swallowed whole. Look for rubbery Kongs and balls, bendable bones, and chew toys you can hide treats inside. Some vets also recommend thin, bendable rawhide. However, vets advise against thick, heavy rawhide “bones,” which can break or fracture a dog’s teeth, and may cause gastrointestinal problems if a dog swallows a large piece.  

Schedule a professional dental cleaning. If your cat or dog has periodontal disease, she’ll probably need a professional dental cleaning. Or you could be proactive and schedule a cleaning before your pet develops problems. Dental cleaning removes the plaque and tartar that cause periodontal disease. Your vet will use power (ultrasonic) and hand dental scalers to remove the dental deposits. Then the teeth are polished to remove any remaining plaque and smooth the tooth surface (delaying further plaque and tartar buildup). Although this process is very similar to a human teeth cleaning, there’s a key difference. Unlike people, who can tell the dentist where it hurts and will usually sit still during the cleaning, most pets aren’t cooperative (or even willing) participants. Therefore, pets require anesthesia to have their teeth cleaned. The anesthesia allows the vet to examine your pet’s teeth, take dental X-rays when needed and clean the teeth. The American Dental Veterinary College does NOT recommend non-anesthetic or anesthesia-free dental scaling (cleaning). 

With several foster and personal dogs that keep me busy, I’m not ready to take on regular tooth brushing. However, I am thinking about getting rid of the hard plastic chew toys. What will you do to improve your pet’s dental health?