Preventing Bad Breath in Pets
When our pets have bad breath, it’s often accepted as normal. However, bad breath in pets can be a sign of a more serious dental problem, including dental disease.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Association, up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of dental disease by the age of three. While bad breath and other dental problems can develop at any age, it’s never too late to start your pet on a preventive oral care program.
How Pet Dental Disease Starts
Without daily cleaning, bacteria in the mouth combine with saliva and food on the teeth and gums, causing a sticky plaque to form. This plaque eventually turns into tartar, which is a hard, mineralized build up.
Over time, plaque and tartar continue to accumulate, causing inflammation of the tissues around the teeth. This painful process is called periodontal disease. When left unchecked, it results in both oral and systemic infection, tooth decay and loss of the teeth.
Preventive dental care in pets is important, and why routine oral examinations, home dental care, and
professional dental cleanings play into your pet’s overall well-being.
Symptoms of Pet Dental Problems
An oral examination is part of your pet’s annual check-up and can alert us to problems that can be addressed early on, before they become serious and expensive issues.
It is also wise to bring your pet in for a checkup if you notice:
- Bad breath
- Change in eating habits
- Pain when touching the mouth
- Obvious tartar buildup
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding or loose teeth
- Drooling
- Swelling of the muzzle
Sometimes, pets with dental disease will not show outward signs of trouble, because they are good at
concealing pain. However, most dental disease occurs below the gum line and only visible on X-rays where the condition of the roots and jawbone can be seen. It’s why we do full mouth X-rays as a part of any dental procedure.
Preventive Pet Dental Care at Home
Caring for your pet’s teeth at home is key to preventing and slowing the progression of pet dental disease. It also helps with awareness of your pet’s ‘normal’ and in noticing issues early.
Home dental care starts with regular tooth brushing. It takes a little time, but most pets learn to tolerate it well. We recommend starting as early in your pet’s life as possible.
Tooth Brushing Tips
- Aim to brush daily. Three times a week is a good start.
- Introduce the toothbrush slowly, using lots of praise and treats.
- Start by rubbing the teeth using a pet-specific finger brush. After your pet gets used to this, move to a pet-specific toothbrush.
- Keep brushing sessions gentle and short. You only need to brush the outer side of the teeth. It should take less than a minute to brush both uppers and lowers
- Use only a pet-specific toothpaste containing enzymes to break down plaque. These come in different flavors, so you can find one your pet likes.
- Do not use human toothpaste! It contains ingredients that are toxic to pets, including fluoride and Xylitol.
- It is normal for pets to lick the toothpaste and toothbrush while you’re brushing. Don’t let this distract you.
- If your pet won’t tolerate brushing, don’t force it, be patient. Most pets will get used to it over time.
Pet Dental Care Products
There are many pet dental care products available to help prevent dental disease. These include prescription dental diets, chews, treats, and rinses. While these will help, they don’t replace daily brushing and routine professional care. We carry many of the products our veterinarians recommend in our onsite retail shop, as well as at our online store. You can also check out the list of products recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council at https://vohc.org.
Professional Pet Dental Care
Pets require comprehensive dental examinations and thorough dental cleanings throughout their lifetime.
Recommendations for an oral care plan will be provided during your pet’s wellness visit.
Pet Dental Exams and Cleanings
To be performed correctly, in-depth exams and cleanings require that your pet be under general anesthesia. This allows us to examine the entire mouth, probe the teeth and obtain dental radiographs for a full assessment of your pet’s oral cavity.
After this assessment, the teeth are scaled on all surfaces and under the gum line to remove plaque and tartar. They are then polished to remove microscopic grooves. During the anesthetized examination, any diseased or painful teeth can also be extracted or other recommended treatments performed.
Don’t Ignore Your Pet’s Bad Breath!
Left untreated, dental disease can be painful and debilitating. It can also affect a pet’s quality of life and longevity.
If you need help getting your pet’s dental health on track, just give us a call. It’s always a good time to give your pet a fresh start!
