Like many others who grew up with pets, we didn’t take our pets to the veterinarian often, and we certainly never took them to get their teeth cleaned. Yet dental disease in pets is hugely common— and can lead to serious problems, not to mention be painful for our beloved buddies.
A couple years ago, during a routine checkup for my cat, Mischief, his vet noted he had some tartar on his teeth, and I should consider getting him a dental exam. I put it off, reasoning that he was eating normally and didn’t seem to be uncomfortable. Big mistake. The next time we were at his vet for something unrelated, she told me the tartar buildup had gotten severe.
I sheepishly booked his appointment and poor Mischief ended up having two teeth extracted and two “tooth remnants” removed. The remnants were the result of a condition called “tooth resorption” that occurs when a cat’s tooth dentin erodes and is destroyed. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, it affects between 25% and 75% of cats in the United States. It’s also apparently painful. I felt like the worst pet mom ever for having put this off, especially learning that he’d been in pain.
Even worse than needing to have teeth extracted, neglecting dental disease can prove extremely dangerous. Inflamed gums can separate from the teeth, allowing bacteria to enter and attack the tooth at the root. At this point, bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs like the heart, liver and kidneys, causing serious complications.
The American Veterinary Dental Society reports that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by age 3. Indeed, dogs and cats that find their way to Marin Humane have often had their teeth neglected, so dental issues are common. Many are in constant pain, which can often show itself in behavior issues.
To remedy most dental issues, the animal must be put under general anesthesia. They also need bloodwork beforehand to ensure there are no other underlying issues. Veterinarians will examine and X-ray, remove tartar, check for cavities and growths, extract diseased teeth and finally, give those teeth a good polishing, which will discourage the formation of new plaque and tartar. Extraction of problem teeth can provide tremendous relief for suffering animals and most cope very well without the missing ones.
But you can take preventive measures against dental disease for your pets right at home.
“Start by familiarizing yourself with the warning signs of dental disease like bad breath, yellow-brown crust on the teeth, bleeding gums or pawing at the mouth and commit to a home care regimen,” says Belinda Evans, Marin Humane’s director of shelter medicine. “Also, be sure to visit your veterinarian at least once a year for a checkup.”
Just like people, pets need regular brushing along with professional care. Introduce your pets to brushing by putting a small amount of pet toothpaste (not human toothpaste, which can make your pet sick) on your finger and rubbing it on their teeth. Once they become comfortable with this, apply toothpaste on a toothbrush and allow them to lick the bristles, then begin brushing. Ideally, you should brush your pets’ teeth two times a week. Note that it will probably take some time until your pets cooperate. Don’t give up; your pets will thank you!
Lisa Bloch is the director of marketing and communications at Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Go to marinhumane.org, find us on social media @marinhumane, or email lbloch@marinhumane.org.
