Have you ever cuddled up with your beloved pet, maybe watching a movie or reading a book, then had a whiff of their breath? Was it bad enough to peel the paint off the walls? Or maybe you were at the vet, and they mentioned that Fluffy has a bit of tartar (or possibly sewer mouth). Dental health is a significant and vital component of your pet’s health. I will admit it is not one of my favorite subjects, but with how important it is and how awful I know some of your pet’s breath is, I suppose it’s time to get to the root of the matter.

Dogs have 42 adult teeth, while cats have 30. The adult teeth are usually all present by about six months old. However, this can vary by breed and genetics. Like our teeth, they are protected by enamel and become covered in tartar over time if not properly managed. Tartar creates a safe haven for bacteria, which causes inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Eventually, this will erode the gums away and can create prolific pockets of purulent pus at the base of the root, called a tooth root abscess. Next time Fluffy decides to give you kisses, remember the alliteration, and the pus.

I can’t emphasize enough my dislike for dental procedures, so I always try to discuss ways to prevent tartar buildup early on with clients. The goal is to avoid extractions in the future. Brushing your pet’s teeth will get you a gold star. The mechanical action of brushing with the pet toothpaste will provide the best prevention of tartar buildup. 99.9% of people do not brush their pet’s teeth (this is not the actual number, but probably close enough), so here are some other options: The Veterinary Oral Health Council has recommendations for treats and probably some blog posts of their own. I could post this link and skip most of this blog post, but where is the fun in that? Vetradent wipes are my go-to.

• “But I brush my pet’s teeth once every few months.” Can you imagine only brushing your teeth once every few months? I hope you don’t kiss your mother with that mouth.

• “He doesn’t seem painful, though!” Imagine a toothache that gets worse and worse every day for years with infection. Your pet can’t talk. You are the only one who can make the decisions necessary to make them feel better. Having an infected tooth hurts. They just can’t tell you.

• “But he chews on bones.” I am going to bet 4 out of 5 dentists did not recommend femur as their recommended toothpaste.

If your pet’s breath on your face is like being slapped by a three-week dead salmon, and teeth are falling out left and right, it is probably time for a dental procedure. Unlike (most) humans, your pet will be fully anesthetized for their dental procedure. A complete oral exam is performed to check for masses or any other areas of concern. The teeth are evaluated for any pockets of infection and underlying disease, usually using an X-ray, as they can be challenging to see. Based on the x-rays and oral exam, diseased teeth are extracted, and the remaining teeth are cleaned and polished. Generally, your pet will feel significantly better quickly and return to eating not long after the procedure, even if they are down a few teeth. Wetting food or switching to soft food during the recovery period can help in cases where there were several extractions. Remember, dogs and cats can do fine without any teeth...that’s what canned food is for! It’s better to have no teeth than painful, infected ones.

A complete oral exam under anesthesia is also used to look for other diseases that can be present in the mouth. Cats are weird beings who can get strange diseases, probably out of spite. For example, in the case of feline tooth resorption, the tooth root is “re-absorbed” by the body causing the tooth to disappear. Then there is feline stomatitis, a disease of unknown cause that results in extremely painful gingivitis with no guaranteed treatment. Cats and dogs can also get oral tumors as they age, with cats having the worst of it.

If you gain nothing else from this blog, please know that if your vet recommends a dental for your pet, it will likely save you money in the long run. A routine dental cleaning is usually a couple of hundred dollars. If extractions are necessary, the procedure can take hours and cost potentially thousands. Smaller breed dogs generally need cleanings more often than large breeds, but that is only sometimes the case. Routine dental care has been shown to extend a pet’s life up to 2-3 years. Make sure you stick to your gums when it comes to brushing your pets’ teeth. While you may not get an award or plaque, your pet will thank you for the rest of their lives.

For more information, I highly recommend the Veterinary Partners dentistry page which goes into much more detail, but with less puns.