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Ensuring your pet's overall health is essential, and dental care is a critical part of this. Many pet owners must realize the problems that poor dental health can cause their dogs or cats. Good dental care not only protects against cavities, pain, and tooth loss but also prevents other health issues like heart disease and bone or blood infections. The good news is that many of these issues are preventable with proactive dental care, putting you in control of your pet's health.
Certain pets are more prone to dental problems, and their owners need to be especially diligent. Short-nosed dogs might have misaligned teeth, and toy breeds often have crowded teeth, making it hard to remove plaque while chewing. Cats are also at higher risk for dental issues since they are less inclined to chew naturally than dogs.
Essential Tips For Maintaining Your Pet's Dental Health
Brushing
Brushing your pet's teeth can be the most effective way to prevent dental issues. With patience and training, pets can become accustomed to daily brushing, especially if started early. Gently wipe your teeth by wrapping a piece of gauze around your finger. Dipping the gauze in beef broth can help. Once they are comfortable, switch to a finger brush or a baby toothbrush and use pet-specific toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste, as its ingredients can harm animals, and they dislike the minty flavor. Pet toothpastes come in more appealing flavors like meat or fish.
Diet
While pets don't have the same issues with sugary foods as humans, diet is crucial for maintaining good oral health. Some vets recommend avoiding wet food (tinned or sachets) because it can stick to the teeth, promoting quicker plaque development. Dry food not only avoids this problem but also encourages chewing, which stimulates saliva production. Saliva contains enzymes that help combat bacteria and prevent plaque formation. Some diets are specifically designed to support dental health, featuring larger kibble pieces that scrape the teeth and may include chemical enzymes to fight plaque.
Chews
Dental chews can help maintain your pet's oral health with an excellent dental diet and regular brushing. Dogs usually enjoy chews as treats, making integrating them into their routine easy. While cats may be less interested, dental chews are also designed for them. Chews help prevent plaque and tartar buildup by scraping the teeth and stimulating saliva production, which has antibacterial properties.
Mouthwash
Bacteria are a primary cause of dental problems. They lead to plaque and tartar buildup, which causes periodontal disease and cavities. Pet-specific mouthwashes can reduce bacteria levels in the mouth. These come in various forms, such as gels, sprays, rinses, and additives for drinking water. Never use human mouthwashes for pets, as they are intended to be spat out, and swallowing them can be dangerous for animals.
Checkups
Even with diligent dental care, regular checkups for your pet are essential. Dogs and cats are expert at hiding pain, so dental issues might only be evident once they are advanced. During checkups, the vet will check for tartar, gingivitis, other oral health issues, and general health problems that may stem from dental diseases.
Symptoms Of Dental Issues
Part of caring for your pet's dental health is recognizing problems early. Since pets can't tell us when something is wrong in their mouths, we need to be observant. Pets can often hide their pain even when a dental issue becomes severe.
Here are some signs to watch for:
Bad Breath
While pet breath can be unpleasant, you should know what is normal for your pet. Bad breath could indicate excessive bacteria, cavities, pus, or oral cancer.
Swollen or Bleeding Gums
This is a common sign of dental issues. During the initial stages of periodontal disease, gums may swell and bleed when touched.
Tartar Buildup
Advanced plaque buildup can turn into tartar, forming a hard, brown crust on the teeth, especially near the gumline. While tartar requires professional cleaning, plaque can be removed by brushing, .
Reluctance to Eat or Weight Loss
If your pet has sore or swollen gums, oral lesions, or tooth socket inflammation, they may be in too much pain to eat, leading to weight loss.
Oral Diseases In Cats And Dogs
Without proper dental care, your pet can face several oral health issues. The most common is periodontal disease, caused by bacterial buildup in the mouth, which progresses through several stages. The initial stage is gingivitis, where tartar causes gum inflammation, soreness, and bleeding. If untreated, tartar moves below the gumline, leading to periodontitis, which damages the supporting tissues. Eventually, this can progress to pyorrhea, where pus forms in the tooth sockets, often resulting in tooth loss.
Other dental issues include cavities (less common in pets but possible) and tooth resorption, where lesions damage healthy tooth tissue. Cats, in particular, may suffer from stomatitis, a general swelling of the oral tissues that often accompanies gingivitis. Additionally, any masses or growths in your pet's mouth should be monitored closely, as they could indicate oral cancers requiring prompt attention and treatment.
Additional Dental Issues In Cats And Dogs
Pets can face various dental issues beyond common diseases, influenced by their breed, age, or lifestyle. These issues often require special attention or treatment from a veterinary dentist.
Fractured Teeth
Fractured teeth are more common in dogs than cats, as dogs tend to chew more. This can happen from chewing hard toys, marrow bones, or rocks. Fractured teeth can allow bacteria to enter, necessitating treatment like root canal therapy or extraction.
Persistent Primary Teeth
This happens when an adult tooth comes in before the baby tooth has fallen out, resulting in crowded and misaligned teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to plaque buildup and gum disease.
Malocclusion (Abnormal Bite)
Malocclusion, or an abnormal bite, is often genetic but can also result from trauma. Sometimes, it is merely a cosmetic issue requiring no treatment. However, if the misalignment causes teeth to press into the gums or palate, it needs correction.
