Companion piece to: Veterinary Q & A: Dental Care for Pets
Please see the archive for more Q & A topics.
Bad breath in pets, particularly dogs, is often joked about, but it is not a laughing matter. Dental disease affects up to 80% of pets over the age of three, and just like humans, there can be serious consequences of poor dental health.
How many
teeth do dogs and cats have, anyway?
Dogs start out with 28 deciduous (baby) teeth, cats start out with 26
deciduous teeth. By six months of age, these baby teeth fall out and are
replaced by permanent teeth, 42 in the dog and 30 in the cat.
Will I
find the deciduous teeth, and what happens when they don't fall out on
their own?
You may or may not find the teeth as they fall out. As dogs play and chew
on toys, you might see a tooth. Likewise, as a cat grooms, you may find
a tooth in the fur. If the deciduous teeth don't fall out and the permanent
teeth erupt under them, this can lead to problems, such as increased tartar
formation, malocclusion problems, and gingival (gum) irritation.
When should
dental care start with my pet?
The earlier the better. With the help of your Veterinarian, be on the
lookout for retained deciduous teeth and malocclusion (bad bite) problems.
Your Veterinarian can teach you how to care for your pet's teeth and gums
early on.
How can
I tell if my pet has dental problem?
Bad breath is often a first indicator of dental disease. Gently lift the
lips and check for tartar, inflamed gums, or missing/broken teeth. Cats
may exhibit increased drooling. Both cats and dogs can exhibit reluctance
to eat or play with toys, "chattering" of the teeth when trying
to eat, lethargy, bleeding gums, eroded teeth, and failing to groom (cats).
Dental disease progresses in stages
-- if caught early, you can prevent further damage and save as many teeth
as possible.
How is
the rest of the body affected by bad teeth?
Infected gums and teeth aren't just a problem in the mouth -- the heart,
kidneys, intestinal tract, and joints may also be infected. The tartar
and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria than
can 'seed' to other parts of the body. With regular dental care, you can
prevent some of these more serious side effects.
Where
should I start?
With a new puppy or kitten, talk to your Veterinarian at the vaccination
appointments on how to initiate a good dental care program at home. Most
Veterinarians are happy to provide brushing lessons, and many carry brushes
and toothpaste specifically for dogs and cats. (NOTE: do not use human
toothpaste on your pet!)
If your pet is an adult over 3 years of age, it would be wise to schedule a dental check up with your Veterinarian. If a dental cleaning is necessary, it is advisable to do pre-anesthesia blood work to make sure your pet does not have any underlying problems.
My pet
needs a dental cleaning -- what is involved with that?
As mentioned above, pre-dental blood work is recommended. This is a check
on the overall health of the pet to make sure that liver, kidneys, and
blood counts are within normal ranges and to reduce any risks possible
prior to the anesthesia. Many pets with bad teeth will be put on an antibiotic
a few days prior to the dental to calm the infection and reduce possibility
of complications.
Your pet will be fasted from the evening before for the anesthesia. The dental itself is similar to a human dental cleaning - tartar removal, checking for cavities, gingival (gum) pockets, loose teeth, any growths on the gums or palate, removal of diseased teeth, and finally, polishing. The polishing is to smooth the tooth after tartar removal, as the tartar pits the tooth. A smooth tooth will not encourage tartar formation as easily as a roughened tooth. Click here for a photo essay on a dental cleaning in a cat.
With good dental care, your pet can enjoy a long and healthy life.
Related Reading:
Tips For Recognizing Dental Disease In Dogs And Cats
8 Tips and tools for home dental care for pets
Is anesthesia necessary to do a dental cleaning on my pet?
Text: Copyright © Janet Tobiassen Crosby. All rights reserved.
