National Pet Dental Health Month
February 1 marks the beginning of National Pet Dental Health Month. More than just a cosmetic issue, yellow teeth and bad breath can be a sign of serious disease in our pets, which may affect their kidneys, livers, and hearts. Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets, with most dogs becoming affected by age 3.
Does your dog run friends and family out of the room with every smooch? Can you see little green fumes each time he yawns? Don’t let rotten breath be the norm for your best friend! That terrible smell could signify a serious heath risk, not only for your dog’s teeth, but for major vital organs, as well. The AVMA has provided this quiz to help you determine how much you really know about the dental health of your pets. How did you do? Don’t feel badly if you didn’t score perfectly. We can help!
- What is periodontal disease? Canine periodontitis is a bacterial infection of the mouth. Bacteria grows in plaque build-up along the gumline at the base of each tooth. Plaque turns into tartar as it accumulates, and tartar spreads under the gums, causing gingivitis. There are four stages of periodontal disease, progressing from plaque and mildly inflamed gums to established gingivitis (gum disease), and then on to mild and ultimately severe periodontitis, which may involve bone and/or tooth loss.
- How do I know if my dog has dental disease? Veterinarians will typically incorporate a brief dental exam in your dog’s annual or semi-annual physical to check for periodontitis. If you are between visits and notice foul breath, abnormal chewing, bleeding while chewing, reduced appetite, swollen gums, or teeth that are discolored, chipped, or broken, schedule a visit straight away. Your vet will likely recommend a sedated or anesthetized exam to determine the severity of the dental disease. Anesthesia is a critical step in a full dental exam, and a dental cleaning without it is not recommended because it does not allow cleaning or inspection below the gumline, where most dental disease occurs, and can result in injury to the pet or the person performing the procedure.
- How is periodontitis treated? Treatment varies from dog to dog depending on the particular stage of dental disease. It usually begins with bloodwork to determine liver and kidney function and a thorough, anesthetized dental cleaning to remove plaque and tarter above and below the gum line. Your vet will also likely recommend a home routine to prevent plaque build up. More heavily progressed dental disease patients may require tooth extractions, x-rays to look for bone loss, and more based on diagnostic findings.
- What can I do to prevent dental disease for my dog? Truly, the easiest way to prevent periodontal disease is to be consistent in a routine that includes regular brushing (every day, ideally) with a vet-recommended tooth paste and tooth brush. Not sure if you’re doing it right? The AVMA has a video to show you how! There are many pet products marketed with claims that they improve dental health, but not all of them are effective, so check out the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s list of proven rinses, chews, and other products to maintain your dog’s healthy grin. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, schedule a dental visit with your vet right away to prevent the negative effects of prolonged dental disease.
Don’t beat yourself up if your doggo can wilt a rose with a whiff of stinky breath! Prevention is key, but responding right away to the symptoms of dental disease and staying on top of your vet’s recommendations will literally add years onto Fido’s life expectancy. And who doesn’t wanna little extra time with their best friend?