Just like humans, animals need regular dental care. This dental care is similar to dental care in humans, involving preventative care, cleaning, extractions and even advanced procedures such as root canals. These procedures can be performed by a veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist. In most places in the United States veterinary technicians are able to perform basic dental procedures under the supervision of a veterinarian. It’s likely to be your technician cleaning your pet’s teeth and taking dental x-rays. Caring for the health of your pet’s teeth is important to your pet’s overall health.

A veterinary dental exam will look very similar to a human dental exam. First, the veterinarian will examine your pet’s mouth, including the gums, teeth, tongue to ensure there are no abnormalities. To assess the health of the jaw and roots of the teeth dental x-rays may be needed. Your pet will be placed under general anesthesia to remove plaque and tartar and will then have her teeth polished. Any tooth extractions will also be done at this time.

General anesthesia is necessary for pet dentistry to ensure the safety of both your pet and the person performing the cleaning. Animals don’t understand the need for dental care and many won’t be amenable to someone needing to have their hands in their mouths for a cleaning. They will want to get away and may try to bite. By putting the pet under anesthesia, the dental procedures can be performed thoroughly with minimal stress for your pet.

Signs of dental disease

Your pet’s mouth should be examined at every checkup. Many dental problems start below the gum line where it is difficult to see that something might be wrong.  Even if your pet’s teeth appear healthy, disease may be beginning below the gumline.

Some signs of oral disease are easy to see, such as drooling or having difficulty or obvious pain eating. Others, like behavioral changes, are more subtle.

Further signs of dental disease include bad breath, discolored or broken teeth, bleeding from the mouth, reduced appetite, inability to hold food in the mouth when chewing and swelling of areas around the mouth. If you notice any problems with your pet’s mouth, no matter how small, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease in dogs and cats. Many pets begin to show signs of periodontal disease within their first three years of life.

Periodontal disease is characterized by an inflammation of the structures supporting the teeth, such as the gums and tissues of the mouth.  It is important to monitor for disease and catch any signs early. Advanced periodontal disease can cause pain and may lead to health problems in other organs such as the liver, kidney and heart.

How can you take care of your pet’s dental health at home?

Brushing your pet’s teeth may seem crazy, but with appropriate training you and your pet can learn to enjoy tooth brushing. In fact, brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to help prevent dental disease and keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Daily brushing is ideal, but not always feasible.  Even one or two times a week can make a difference.

There are just a few things you need to brush your pet’s teeth. Some toothbrushes made for pets look just like the ones humans use, while others are made to slide over the pet owner’s finger like a thimble with bristles. Toothpaste for pets come in dog or cat friendly flavors such as chicken or peanut butter. You don’t even need to rinse your pet’s mouth after brushing.

Don’t ever use human toothpaste, this can cause severe GI upset.

There are also a number of treats and dental specific diets available to help with your pet’s oral health. Talk to your veterinarian for recommendations about what might be right for your pet.