Did you know that the most common dental problems for pets are different from those seen in humans?1,2
It’s true – while the main problem for humans is tooth decay, dogs and cats are most likely to suffer from PD.1–3
PD is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases in primary care veterinary practice:1–3
9 in 10 adult dogs
7 in 10 adult cats
PD relates to inflammation and infection in the tissues around the teeth, including the surrounding gum and bone. If left unchecked, PD can lead to a sore mouth, weakened jaw bones and lost teeth. Ongoing infection and inflammation in the mouth can also travel elsewhere in the body, causing issues with eye, heart, liver and kidney function.1
Warning signs to watch for
If you want to tell if your pet has PD, give their breath a quick sniff. Bad breath is often due to bacteria from PD.
Other signs include:
Redness or bleeding around the gumline
Difficulty eating, chewing on one side of the mouth or dropping food/toys
Swellings around the face and mouth
Sensitivity when touched around the face/mouth or head, or aversion to cold drinking water
Excess drooling, blood in their saliva or on chew toys
Every pet is different, and some can hide pain very well – many pets will still wolf down their food despite suffering with a painful toothache.
What can I do if I think it’s PD?
- Visit your vet: A check-up will help determine the extent of the issue
- Possible treatments: Treatment under anaesthesia may be needed to fully assess and treat your pet’s mouth in a pain-free manner, including extractions, if necessary – don’t let this worry you, as pets can eat normally even with no teeth at all!
- Remember! Only fully trained vets and vet nurses are qualified to perform dental treatments. Beware of ‘pet dental services’ on the high street that are not vet approved, as they could risk your pet’s health, costing you and your pet more in the long run
Once all dental treatments have been completed and your pet has recovered, the focus will be on a home dental care programme to keep the remaining teeth healthy for as long as possible.
Prevention is better than cure – oral homecare
There are a wide range of options on the market regarding dental homecare for dogs and cats, making it hard to choose which products to use. Your vet or vet nurse can advise on a suitable regime based on the needs of you and your pet.
These products can be narrowed down into two categories, active and passive.
| ACTIVE | PASSIVE | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | More involved as need to handle your pet’s mouth | Easy! Hands-off approach |
| Products available | Toothpastes and gels, oral rinses and sprays, dental wipes | Water additives, dental sticks, dental specific diets and treats, dietary additives |
| Reasons to use | Tend to be better at removing dental plaque and tartar, especially if combined with brushing or gentle abrasion to the tooth surface | Easier to fit into busy lifestyles and more likely to become a daily habit
More suitable for pets that are difficult to handle |
Important things to consider when building your regime
- Look out for products with the Veterinary Oral Healthcare Council (VOHC) seal of approval
- This means the product has undergone scientific tests to prove that they reduce dental plaque and/or tartar and that they are safe to use
- Brushing is best
- If possible, brush your pet’s teeth for a minute or more daily to remove plaque. Use pet-friendly toothpaste (human toothpaste can be toxic to pets) with a soft, bristled brush (a child’s toothbrush is ideal!)SEE HOW TO BRUSH YOUR PET’S TEETH >
However, we don’t live in a perfect world and not all pets will accept this approach, no matter how hard you try…
- If possible, brush your pet’s teeth for a minute or more daily to remove plaque. Use pet-friendly toothpaste (human toothpaste can be toxic to pets) with a soft, bristled brush (a child’s toothbrush is ideal!)SEE HOW TO BRUSH YOUR PET’S TEETH >
- The best dental homecare regime is one that becomes a daily habit
- There are plenty of products to choose from that will suit you and your pet, and they can even be used in combination
- For instance, if you can only manage to brush your pet’s teeth 2–3 times a week, try adding in a VOHC-approved passive dental product daily. That way, there is always something working away in the background, helping your pet’s teeth on the days you don’t manage to brush
- There are plenty of products to choose from that will suit you and your pet, and they can even be used in combination
- Regular check-ups are a must!
- Just as your own dentist would advise, scheduling regular checks is important, so that any dental problems can be detected and sorted early. Speak to your vet team for guidance on how to go about this
