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Tooth Truth:

A Vet Answers Your Pet Dental Questions

Recently Dr. Moyer of Five Forks Animal Clinic answered a few frequently asked questions about your pet’s dental health…read on for a few tips!

Why is dental care so important for dogs and cats? 

—There’s a direct link between dental disease and heart disease, not to mention PAIN when the teeth are diseased. Plus stinky “dog breath” or “cat breath” is actually dental disease/tartar buildup! 

What is the most common dental issue in dogs and cats?

Dogs

  • Periodontal disease…this is where the ligament that holds the tooth in the jaw detaches and makes the tooth loose. As you can imagine, this causes pain and also requires extraction…

  • A close second (that I see) is broken (fractured) teeth from chewing on things that are too hard. Use my “rule of thumb” …if the bone/chew is too hard to indent with your thumbnail, then it’s too hard for them to chew! Pet’s jaws are WAY stronger than their teeth and they WILL try to bite through a hard chew, breaking their tooth in the process. This creates pain and usually an abscessed tooth root. I always recommend only using VOHC approved dental chews: Accepted Products | Veterinary Oral Health Council

    **DO NOT USE ANTLERS. I can’t tell you how many teeth I’ve had to extract because they were broken on an antler. 

Cats

  • Resorptive Lesions…these are like REALLY painful cavities. The bone literally absorbs the root, but in the process creates painful cavities in the crown of the tooth. Sometimes, I can remove the crown, but many times I have to remove the whole tooth with roots included.

Why does my dog’s breath smell so bad?

Tartar/dental disease! It’s typically actually the bacteria that smells so bad.


How often should I brush by dogs teeth?

Every day! That seems impossible at first, but you can desensitize them to it with a little time. Start with them just licking the toothpaste off of the toothbrush. We really like the Jasper Finger Brush and CET Enzymatic toothpaste (the vanilla mint smells wonderful). Then, start to let them nibble on the toothbrush, and eventually you can brush the whole mouth!

What else can I do at home for my pets oral health?

  • “Dental Care powder” from Vertiscience (formerly Perio Support)…it has a probiotic that helps get rid of the “bad” tartar-causing bacteria and enzymes that can dissolve some of the tartar (aka plaque).

  • VeggieDent chews: daily vegetable based chews to help “brush” the teeth

  • Anything else approved by the VOHC (link above)

How often do dogs and cats need dentals by a veterinarian? 

…some never need a cleaning if their teeth are brushed and cared for regularly! Some need cleanings every few years, some yearly, some every 6 months! It definitely depends on the dog/breed. If they are on soft food only, that typically leads to more tartar buildup (hard food helps “brush” the teeth when they chew it). 

Thanks to Dr. Moyer for answering a few questions for all of us curious pet parents!

Questions or thoughts…I want to hear from you! If you have any ideas for future blog posts that you would like to see, let me know!

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only. Always consult your veterinarian for specific guidance and recommendations tailored to your pet’s individual needs.

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