Tips to Prevent Dental Disease: A Guide to Your Pet's Dental Care at Home

As pet owners, we know the importance of the health of our pets, but dental health is often a forgotten aspect of pet health that can have serious consequences if neglected. Our pets only have one set of teeth, and we need to take good care of them! By taking some simple steps, such as regular dental checks and taking preventative measures at home, you can help prevent bad breath, gum disease, plaque buildup and tooth decay. Poor dental hygiene can lead to overall poor health and can contribute to serious health conditions. Following an effective dental health routine will give your pet the best chance to be healthy and pain-free when it comes to their teeth.  

What is dental disease?  

Dental disease is the most common health problem of pets and is caused by bacteria in the mouth attaching to the teeth and forming plaque which solidifies to form tartar. Tartar can damage the teeth and gums and cause significant disease by destroying the surrounding structures and causing systemic disease. This can also cause severe pain, but your pet might not give you an indication they are in pain. Many pets will chew more carefully and even pets that seem to eat normally might still be suffering. An early indicator of poor dental health at home might be bad breath, but your pet could have more serious dental disease without you even knowing. This includes gum infections; loose, rotten or missing teeth; or erosion of the bone of the jaw.  Some pets might show signs such as drooling, loss of appetite, difficulty eating and rubbing at the mouth, but many pets will act normally even if they are in pain.  

How is pet dental disease treated?  

Treatment will depend on the degree of dental disease. To effectively grade dental disease, it is important to take x-rays of the teeth. The part of the tooth that can be seen is the tip of the iceberg, and more significant disease can lurk below the surface. Even if the vet is suspicious of grade 1 dental disease, it is always important to investigate further.  

Grade 1 dental disease 

Mild or early stages of dental disease can be reversed by a dental scale and polish at the vet. Scaling will remove the harmful plaque and tartar above and below the gumline of the teeth. This is performed with an ultrasonic scaler. Polishing leaves a smooth surface to the tooth which makes it difficult for plaque forming bacteria to attach. This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and dental x-rays should be taken at the same time to fully assess the health of the teeth. This will need to be followed by dental preventative care at home to keep the teeth clean. 

Grade 2 and 3 dental disease 

Grade 2 and 3 dental disease involves periodontitis which means the structures surrounding the teeth have become involved with inflammation and infection. Once this happens, the dental disease can have systemic impacts on the kidneys or heart. Gingivitis or inflammation of the gums is present and an erosive pocket forms around an affected tooth. This leads to more serious dental disease involving tooth root. Tooth root becomes exposed as the diseased gum recedes. X-rays will reveal whether extractions are required. Any remaining teeth will be scaled and polished. 

Grade 4 dental disease  

This is the most significant degree of dental disease. Not only is there severe gingivitis but the bone of the jaw becomes eroded, and the teeth become loose. This is associated with infection and severe pain. Multiple extractions will be required and potentially all teeth will need to be removed. 

Extractions of teeth in a pet  

If extractions are required, your pet will need extra special care and a soft diet at home while recovering. Pets have deep rooted and well attached teeth, so any extraction is the equivalent of a human having dental surgery. If a pet has a severely diseased mouth, they might need all their teeth extracted. While this might seem drastic, it is worthwhile to prevent the endless pain of having severely diseased teeth. Once the mouth has healed, pets will be able to eat perfectly normally and very few adjustments are required at home.   

How can you prevent dental disease in pets? 

Tooth brushing at home 

The most effective way to prevent dental disease is daily tooth brushing. Pets can clean their teeth to some extent when chewing, but we can do a more even and effective clean by brushing. Not all pets are cooperative but if you slowly get them accustomed to brushing, they should tolerate it.  Start by practising lifting your pet’s lips and touching their teeth every day for increasingly longer periods of time. Reward your pet every time. Once this is being tolerated, gradually add in a toothbrush and paste. The toothbrush you use will depend on the size and shape of your pet’s mouth. Flavoured toothpastes are available that are edible, so your pet will have a positive experience of toothbrushing. A positive experience will strengthen your bond with your pet.  

Premium dental diets and dental treats

There are specially formulated kibbles that can prevent plaque and tartar formation. The texture and shape of the kibble can have a toothbrushing effect when your pet chews. These include Hill’s T/D and Royal Canin Dental diets. 

Dental chews can work in a similar way and can be a great dental treat for your pet. They encourage chewing and gentle abrasion of plaque. Recommended brands include Greenies, and Whimzees.  

Water and food additives for dental health 

Liquid additives in drinking water and powder additives in food are available to help reduce plaque-forming bacteria and bad breath. These include OxyFresh Dental Additive and Teef! Drinkable Dental Health.  

Being aware of dental disease and prevention is crucial to your pet’s overall health and wellbeing.  Taking good care of your pet’s teeth will help prevent bad breath and severe forms of dental disease. Book your pet in for regular dental checks and dental scaling and polishing with your vet. Prevention of dental disease is far preferable to the treatment of high grade dental disease. By following these tips, you give your pet the best chance to have a long and happy life with fresh breath and sparkling pearly whites!  

To find out more about their dental hygiene and the best solutions for your pet, we recommended booking an online appointment to speak with a Your PetPA NZ Experts. 

Find all your pet’s dental care needs on Your PetPA online store. Thriving Pets members receive a 10% discount on all purchases.