Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions we see in the clinic.
By the age of three, up to 95% of all cats and dogs will have some kind of dental disease.
It’s a problem that gets worse over time and can cause serious health issues in pets as they age.
Not only can dental disease cause your pet discomfort, but the high levels of bacteria in a diseased mouth can periodically be released into the bloodstream, and this can cause heart, kidney and liver disease.
We all appreciate that tooth root infections and loose teeth can cause dental pain, but dental discomfort can occur prior to these advanced conditions. Periodontitis also a painful condition. 80% of dogs are affected by periodontal issues by the age of two.
This is a tricky question! Pets can be quite stoic, and their signs of pain aren’t always obvious. If you notice any of the below signs, it’s a good idea to book a dental check for your pet.
Just as people have tooth cavities, need root canals, and lose teeth, pets can have serious dental problems. The most common dental problems seen in pets are caused by periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is what we call inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth. Often, it starts with the development of tartar and calculus on the teeth.
The earliest form of Periodontal disease is called Gingivitis. This is when the accumulated tartar and calculus get under the gumline, causing it to recede around the base of the tooth.
Gingivitis shows as redness along the margin of the gums, swollen gum margins, bad breath, plaque and calculus. If the teeth are brushed, the inflamed gums may bleed.
Infection soon follows, and the gums recede further, exposing sensitive, unprotected tooth root surfaces and the bony tooth sockets. Left untreated, the infection spreads deep into the tooth socket, destroying the bone. This is the more severe form of the disease called Peridontitis.
Stomatitis is what we call a more generalised inflammation of the mucous membranes within the mouth, and may involve the gums, tongue, inner surfaces of the lips, and/or the floor and roof of the mouth.
Stomatitis is extremely painful, and many pets will have a decreased appetite due to the pain. In severe cases, there may be swelling around the eyes or mouth.
A vet consult is needed to examine the mouth and diagnose the cause of the Stomatitis.
These are seen in cats.
Cervical neck lesions (also called tooth resorption) are caused by the destruction of the enamel of the tooth, resulting in slowly deepening “holes” (cavities) in affected teeth. The causes of loss of enamel aren’t well understood.
Once the sensitive parts of the tooth are exposed, these lesions can be very painful, and the only effective treatment is often to extract the tooth.
Dogs and cats usually begin to lose their baby (deciduous) teeth from three to four months; and should lose all remaining baby teeth by six months of age.
If these baby teeth don’t fall out as they should, they can cause periodontal disease and trauma to the roof of the mouth. These retained teeth can cause accelerated plaque build-up on surrounding teeth, as well as being potentially painful or irritating to the gums.
Retained deciduous baby teeth should be surgically removed with your pet under anaesthesia.
Just as with humans, pets can develop an infection of the tooth root called an abscess. It can be caused by fractures/broken teeth, periodontal disease or trauma.
Symptoms of a tooth root abscess are:
Some breeds seem to have a higher incidence of dental disease. It is believed they lack an enzyme that helps attack mouth bacteria.
These breeds seem to have more issues.
You cannot treat dental disease with preventive measures like brushing, food or chews. If your pet already has dental disease, it must be treated first, and then preventative measures can be used to improve longer-term dental health.
Step one is a dental check with a vet or nurse. From there, a course of action can be planned.
If your pet requires treatment, they’ll need a full anaesthetic to examine the mouth, radiograph (x-ray) any teeth of concern, clean the teeth and extract any teeth as required.
Once clean, home dental care is critical in maintaining a healthy mouth. This can include
When it comes to home dental health, anything you can do is better than nothing at all.
No! Human toothpastes can contain ingredients that are toxic to pets. Pets also can’t spit toothpaste out like people, so it ends up in their stomachs.
There are many pet toothpastes on the market that are safe for swallowing and are in appealing flavours for your pet. Many of these toothpastes contain enzymes that are designed to help break down plaque chemically. This reduces the time you need to spend brushing your pet’s teeth.
Dental disease is a tricky issue for pet owners. There are a number of products available that can support dental health at home, but no product replaces a professional dental cleaning from your vet.
Keeping an eye on your pet’s teeth through dental checks is essential. If you have any concerns about your pet’s mouth or teeth, please talk to your veterinarian.
