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Pet Dental Health Month: Keeping Your Pet's Pearly Whites In Prime Condition
The health of your pet’s mouth can have a big impact on their overall health and well-being. February is the month during which veterinary professionals promote preventative dental care for your pets. Understanding how to prevent dental conditions in animals can be great for owners and could save them plenty of money going forwards.
When does Pet Dental Health Month take place?
Pet Dental Health Month takes place in February every year. It is held annually in an attempt to draw attention to dental issues in pets and focuses on the prevention and treatment of gum, tooth, and other oral conditions.
How do dental problems in pets start?
There are many reasons why a dental condition may develop in your pets. One of the most common causes of dental issues is when bacteria and food particles collect along the gingiva (the gum line). This can develop into plaque which then hardens into tartar. This causes irritation and inflammation in the gingiva and surrounding areas, also known as gingivitis. Usually, this is the first stage of gum disease.
What are the signs of poor oral health in pets?
Common signs of poor dental health in your pets can include any of the following:
Bleeding/inflamed gums
Discoloured teeth
Excessive drooling
Bad breath
Irritability
Reduced appetite and weight loss
Loose or missing teeth
Blood in the water bowl
Favouring one side of the mouth when chewing.
If you notice your pet is showing any of these signs then you may wish to consider taking them to the vet to get them checked over.
How common are dental problems for pets?
Dental problems are one of the most common ailments of pets. It is estimated that 80% of cats and dogs over the age of three years old will show some signs of dental disease. This is why Pet Dental Health Month is so important as preventing this is a great way of keeping your pets healthy.
Do different animals have different dental needs?
Carnivores and herbivores have different types of teeth to suit the type of food they eat. Carnivores have defined canine teeth which are shaped to slice and rip the meat they eat. Herbivores have strong and flat molar teeth, shaped to squash and grind plants.
Omnivores, who eat both meat and plants, have a combination of sharp front teeth and molars for grinding.
Dogs
How can I check my dog's teeth?
Always examine your dog’s mouth with care; even very placid dogs are capable of accidentally biting you! Whilst they are quietly sat, gently lift the flaps of their gums and have a gentle look at the teeth you can obviously see, paying attention to the colour and texture of the gums, teeth, any chipped/broken teeth, or any areas that seem or look painful. A good sniff also gives a good indication of any potential dental infections, for example.
Offer them a treat/chew, and watch how they chomp on it, assessing if they are favouring one side of the mouth over the other. Try and get your dog used to having his teeth brushed as early on in your ownership as possible, as this gets them used to having their mouth sneakily examined at the same time. For extra dental hygiene whilst still giving a treat, you could give your dog Plaque Off Dental Bites.
What are common dental issues for dogs?
Common dental issues for dogs include calculus (plaque) and tartar- a build-up of yellow/brown material on the tooth itself; gingivitis which means reddened/inflamed gums, particularly around the tooth; swelling of the gum which may indicate an abscess; halitosis (bad breath) which could indicate infection; loose, broken or missing teeth, and caries which are holes in the teeth caused by decay
How many teeth do dogs have?
The number of teeth in a dog’s mouth will change as they grow from puppies into adult dogs.
Puppies are born without teeth, and only when they are 3-4 weeks old do their puppy (deciduous) teeth start to erupt.
By the time they reach 3-5 months of age, they will usually have all 28 of their puppy teeth - consisting of incisors, canines and pre-molars, although some toy/small breeds of dogs do usually take longer to acquire these. Adult dogs usually have 42 permanent teeth in their mouth ( compared to normally 32 for a human) and these erupt at 3-7 months of age on average
What are the different types of teeth that dogs have?
Here are all of the teeth that dogs have:
Incisors - these are the teeth in the front of a dog’s mouth and the top and bottom jaw have 6 incisors each. The incisors are mostly used to grab things such as food and are also used for chewing and grooming.
Canines - these are the long teeth which look like “fangs”; there are 2 on the upper jaw and 2 on the lower jaw and are slightly curved to help grip onto objects/food
Premolars - these teeth sit just behind the canines and adult dogs have 16 of these - 8 of the top and bottom jaws- they are used for shearing through, and grinding up food.
Molars - Molars are at the back of the dog’s mouth - there are 4 on the top jaw and 6 on the bottom. These are used for grinding up food into smaller, more digestible, pieces.
What preventative dental care actions can I take to keep my dog's teeth healthy?
One of the best preventative measures you can take is to start daily tooth brushing your dog’s teeth from a young age. Brush in a circular motion paying particular attention to where the tooth meets the gum, then when almost finished, brush vertically towards the inside of the mouth to clear any plaque you may have dislodged. If you struggle to use a toothbrush you could always use a finger brush such as the Petosan Oral cleaner.
There are also products which can be added to your dog’s drinking water to help reduce plaque buildup, and certain chew/toys/foods can also be used with preventative dental health care in mind.
Cats
How can I check my cat's teeth?
It is recommended that owners examine their cat’s teeth for one to two minutes at a time, two to three times a month. Choose a time when your cat is naturally calm and when you’re feeling confident too! Find a comfortable spot with good lighting, and it’s often easier if you have a helper to hold your cat’s mouth open whilst you examine the oral cavity.
To begin with, smell your cat’s breath if it has an unpleasant odour may indicate an infection of the gums/bone. Whilst talking softly to your cat, gently tip their head back towards their bottom, and using your thumb and index finger, spread the side of your cat’s mouth open.
Examine the back teeth of one side of the mouth first and look for any yellowing (tartar) or darker material (plaque). Assess the gums which should be a healthy pink colour and not reddened and angry. Also look for any gum overgrowing the teeth. Do the same to the teeth at the front of the mouth, and to the other side. Finally, look into the back of the throat for any signs of an uneven, reddened texture which may indicate a painful and serious condition called stomatitis. To give your cat or kitten a treat after checking their teeth, consider the VetIQ Healthy Bites Breath & Dental Treats for Cats & Kittens.
What are common dental issues for cats?
The three most common dental issues in cats are gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth resorption.
Gingivitis is where the gums around the teeth become red, swollen and painful and usually results due to a buildup of plaque on the teeth.
Periodontitis is the follow-on condition which develops if gingivitis is not controlled, and eventually reaches a stage whereby the damage cannot be reversed. The tissues that attach the teeth to the underlying gum and bone are weakened as a result of damaging substances produced by disease-causing bacteria and the resulting inflammation, potentially leading to loose teeth or tooth loss.
Tooth resorption is a process in which the tooth structure breaks down beginning inside the tooth itself often progressing to the outer parts of the tooth. Between 30%-70% of cats show some sign of this destructive process.
What are the different types of teeth that cats have?
Cats actually have a much larger amount of teeth than you may expect. They have 30 permanent teeth consisting of 12 incisors, 4 canines, 10 premolars and 4 molars. Each of these teeth are designed to chew and digest food in different ways.
What preventative dental care actions can I take to keep my cat's teeth healthy?
Daily, or at the very least twice weekly, brushing is the key to keeping your cat’s teeth. Cats can be pretty tricky customers in this respect so it’s a good idea to get them used to it whilst still a kitten!
A “finger-tip” toothbrush is ideal as a cat’s mouth is rather small, and dipping this in the water from a can of tuna can help to make the experience slightly more pleasurable for your cat.
Always use a specific feline-friendly toothpaste; NEVER use human toothpaste as the high levels of fluoride can make cats severely ill. A couple of good cat safe toothpastes include Select Enzymatic Toothpaste or Logical Oral Hygiene Gel.
It is important to look after your cat’s gums and well as teeth as tooth decay often starts with irritated/inflamed gums. After brushing your cat’s teeth, massage the gums to accelerate healing and strengthen them.
There are several other products out there to help maintain a healthy mouth for your cat; these include dental diets, daily dental sprays, and solutions to add to the drinking water to help reduce plaque build-up. A good solution to use is called Vet Aquadent.
Preventing Dental Issues
How often should I brush my pet's teeth?
Ideally, you should be brushing your pet's teeth twice daily, particularly after eating, but as a minimum, twice weekly. If daily tooth brushing is not possible, then daily addition of plaque-limiting solutions to the drinking water, or dental mouth sprays should be considered. It is generally a rule that pets with clean mouths tend to live longer. If you need equipment to brush your pet's teeth you can purchase the NVS Dental Care Kit online.
Why is regular brushing important for your pet?
Taking care of your pet’s dental health is an important part of taking care of their overall health. Poor dental care can result in significant pain from sore teeth and gums, and can also lead to many health problems including infections and associated renal issues. It is also important to bear in mind that many insurance policies do not cover dental work, so this is even more of an incentive to take on board. Always remember, prevention is better than cure!
How can dental chews help your pet's dental health?
Dental chews can help to remove plaque and tartar and freshen breath. Their ingredients reduce the mineralisation of plaque and tartar on the teeth. They usually have a gentle abrasive effect to physically reduce buildup also.
Where can I buy dental chews for my pet online?
You can purchase a variety of dental chews from UK Pets. We have Plaque Off bites, VETIQ bites for cats and kittens, and Go Native chews that all provide different benefits to the pets that use them.
Veterinary Dental Care
What does a vet think about Pet Dental Health Month?
PocketVet vet, Dr Rachel Louise Keane (BVSc BSc MRCVS) believes that the dental health of your pets should not just be observed for a month. She says, "It is never too early to start proactive dental care in our pets, and this is a far healthier approach than waiting for a problem to develop. Just as with ourselves, good dental hygiene in our pets can reduce bacterial build up in the mouth and limit the development of plaque and decay of teeth, helping to prolong the life and wellbeing of our beloved fury friends, and ensuring their breath remains as sweet as possible."
How can a vet visit help your pet's dental health?
Just as with ourselves and the dentist, a trip to the vet isn’t only for when there’s a problem with your pet’s teeth, but also for preventative dental care. Early detection of issues can help avoid potentially bigger problems from arising. Your vet can also recommend products to help with your pet’s oral health and can demonstrate how to examine the mouth/teeth, tooth brushing techniques, etc.
What does a dental checkup at the vet involve?
During a dental checkup, your vet will give your pet a nose-to-toe once-over, focussing on the mouth and teeth. They will look for signs of dental disease such as periodontitis and fractured teeth and will advise on the best course of action. This may involve a scale and polish, or dental x-rays to plan future treatment. On-going dental hygiene methods and techniques can also be discussed.
Can a vet check my pet's teeth virtually?
Provided you have a good handling technique and are able to open your pet’s mouth and angle your camera when needed, then a virtual check of your pet’s teeth can be very informative and useful. Ensure you are in a well-lit room or have access to a torch too. Problems such as gingivitis/plaque/tartar/fractured teeth can usually be assessed fairly well and advice can be given as appropriate. There are, of course, some limitations: for example, your pet’s breath cannot be smelt over the waves, and small caries may also be rather tricky to assess virtually.
How can I take photos of my pet's teeth for a vet to check?
A well-lit room or access to a bright, directed light source is crucial. Your pet should also be relaxed, and ideally at rest and comfortable with you opening his or her mouth/jaw, and not in any pain or distress. Practising this is very helpful so that it is a less stressful/familiar task when needed to be performed. A second pair of hands makes the job far easier - where one person can hold and angle the camera, and the second person can hold the pet’s head steady whilst opening the mouth or lifting up the lips.
Sources
We Love Pets - Pet Dental Health Awareness
RSPCA Radcliffe - Pet Dental Health Month for Dogs
RSPCA Radcliffe - Pet Dental Health Month for Cats
Dental Health - Pet Dental Health Month: Securing Healthy Smiles for Owner and Pet
