Greencross Vets Did you know over 80% of adult dogs and cats have some form of dental disease?
Regular dental check ups and preventative care can help prevent painful diseases and keep your pet’s smile happy and healthy. Below, our vets bust some common pet dental care myths and answer some of your commonly asked pet parent questions!
Fluff: Smelly breath is normal for pets that eat meat
Fact: Your pet’s breath shouldn’t smell bad. If it does, it’s likely they have some underlying dental issue, such as a buildup of bacterial plaque/tartar, a tooth fracture or gum disease.
Fluff: Dental chews and bones are enough to keep my pet’s teeth healthy
Fact: Dental treats can help reduce plaque. Bones can too, however pose risks such as fracturing teeth and gastrointestinal upset. A thorough dental check with your vet each year is important and recommended to catch dental disease early.
Fluff: Pets don’t need dental check-ups
Fact: Regular dental check-ups help catch potential dental issues early. Our vets look for signs of gum disease, tooth fractures and cavities, inflammation and much more, to help prevent pain and severe health problems later.
Fluff: My pet eats dry food. They don’t need daily dental care.
Fact: No matter what your pet eats, you should be looking after their dental health by providing additional dental care. Brushing their teeth daily and/or using dental chews, dental diets and other dental products, will all help support good dental health.
Fluff: Poor diet is why pets have bad teeth.
Fact: While diet can be a contributing factor to dental disease, it’s not the only cause. Other factors like misaligned teeth, genetics, chewing on abnormal materials, food allergies, and more, can cause gingivitis and predispose to plaque and tartar build up.
Fluff: My pet doesn’t need to go under general anaesthesia for a scale and polish.
Fact: Without anaesthesia, it is impossible to fully assess and clean your pet’s teeth thoroughly. Anaesthesia allows your vet to safely and thoroughly check and clean all your pet’s teeth, especially below the gum line, without inflicting pain or stress.
Fluff: Plaque can be removed with water and food alone.
Fact: Plaque must be removed with regular brushing or another “mechanical” action like chewing dental treats or dental biscuits, or professional cleanings to prevent tartar buildup. Tartar can lead to serious gum disease and dental issues in your pet.
Fluff: It’s too late to start brushing my pet’s teeth now!
Fact: It’s never too late to start brushing your pet’s teeth – beginning now can still significantly improve your pet’s dental health and help prevent disease from developing.
Fluff: You only need to brush your pet’s teeth occasionally.
Fact: Brushing your pet’s teeth daily is a great way to maintain their dental health. It takes ~2-3 days for plaque to harden and become tartar, so it is ideal to brush daily, or at least several times a week, to prevent this.
Fluff: Dental treats are just a marketing gimmick.
Fact: Dental treats can help reduce plaque and tartar, but they should complement, not replace, regular brushing and dental cleaning at the vet for optimal dental health.
Fluff: Pets don’t lose their baby teeth.
Fact: Dogs and cats typically lose their baby teeth between 3-6 months of age, making way for their permanent adult teeth, which require proper dental care from the start.
Fluff: Dental surgery is too painful for pets.
Fact: Dental surgery is performed under anesthesia, with local anesthetic and pain relief on the day, ensuring your pet does not feel pain during the procedure, and additional pain relief is provided to go home with, to ensure a comfortable recovery.
Fluff: Dental care for pets is too expensive.
Fact: Regular dental care, vet checkups and addressing any problems caught early are often much more cost-effective in the long run, preventing more serious issues and expensive procedures later on. This also ensures your pet’s dental health remains in the best condition possible.
Conclusion
Proper dental care for pets is critical to your pet’s overall health and wellbeing. There are things you can do at home to ensure your pet’s teeth are in top condition, having regular dental checks at your local Greencross Vets will help give you and your pet a good overview of their dental health, and awareness of any potential issues.
Book a dental check up with your local Greencross Vets team today.
