Dental disease in pets: A common, yet preventable disease

The most common disease diagnosed daily in our small animal clinic is dental disease. This is something that affects both dogs and cats; however, small or toy breed dogs such as Yorkshire terriers, toy poodles and chihuahuas are over represented. Another name for dental disease is periodontal disease, meaning the tissues around the teeth are inflamed and/or infected. In mild cases this leads to bad breath and gum recession. In severe cases this leads to tooth root abscesses, bone infection and bone resorption or erosion of the jaw bone. As you can imagine, this creates pain and discomfort to the pet. Signs that your pet may have dental disease is odor from the mouth, pawing at the face, drooling, swelling of the face or under the eyes, and decreased appetite or not eating. 

As stated above, cats can struggle with dental disease but it is not as common as it is in dogs. Cat breeds that are predisposed to dental disease are Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon and Abyssinian. There is a dental condition unique to cats called stomatitis. This is a very aggressive and painful inflammatory disease affecting the gums. This is a poorly understood and frustrating condition for the pet owner as well as the veterinarian. The primary cause is not understood, but thought to be similar to autoimmune disease, in that the cat’s immune system attacks the mouth and gum tissue. In severe cases cats will have ulcers on the roof of their mouth and/or the tongue. The most common signs of this condition are drooling and not eating. Treatment for this condition involves a basic dental cleaning followed by extraction of teeth and in severe cases, full mouth extractions. Some cats also need to be on medication to suppress the immune system and to treat inflammation in the mouth. 

Some may be wondering why dental disease is such a big deal. For one, this is usually a preventable condition. The bigger concern here is a correlation with dental disease and systemic disease in pets. The bacteria in the mouth spreads to organs such as the heart and kidneys via the bloodstream. The breeds of dogs that are predisposed to dental disease are unfortunately also predisposed to heart disease, particularly congestive heart failure as they get older. Kidney disease is also very common in small breed dogs. So by preventing or limiting the severity of dental disease one is likely mitigating the risk of heart and kidney failure in the pet as well. 

Some pets need yearly dental cleanings to remove the buildup of plaque and calculus. Most pets need this procedure at least every two to three years to maintain a healthy mouth and to prevent the pet from losing teeth. A dental cleaning on your pet is very similar to a dental cleaning on a person. We sedate the pet and protect the airway, perform full mouth radiographs, probe and check for pockets around all teeth, extract any loose or diseased teeth, then clean and polish all healthy teeth. On a pet who has moderate to severe dental disease, this procedure could take hours. There is obvious risk with this procedure, since sedation is necessary. Routine lab work is required prior to the procedure to make sure a pet is healthy enough to be sedated and to undergo necessary treatment. 

Dental procedures are expensive and this is a barrier to many pets getting necessary care. Dental insurance or wellness plans for your pet are a great way to help budget for the procedure and allow your pet to get the necessary preventive care. Many people put off the procedure due to cost; however, this leads to more problems. The longer the pet goes without dental care, the worse the mouth gets, making treatment more complicated and even more expensive. 

Once again, the old adage of prevention is better than the cure applies to dental hygiene. It is a difficult chore to take on as a pet owner; however, brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to prevent buildup of plaque and calculus. The earlier in the pet’s life you start this the more likely they will accept it. Daily brushing is ideal; however, even two-three times a week brushing can make a huge difference. Dental chews and water additives are also helpful to remove/prevent buildup as well as to help with bad breath. Under no circumstances should a pet be given human toothpaste or human mouthwash, as these products contain multiple ingredients that are toxic to your pet. Pet friendly toothpaste is available at your local pet store and can be a huge help in getting your pet to accept a brush or even a small wipe in their mouth.