Tips fur Life • Sept 15th, 2021 • 🕒 15 min
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Protect Your Pet
Pumpkin, a pet health company, has created this useful dental health guide to help you take care of your pet’s teeth, learn how to spot dental disease, and understand how it can be treated. Let’s get started!
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Did you know that taking care of your pup’s pearly whites is just as important as taking care of your own? With 80% of dogs over age three showing some sign of dental disease, regular dental care is essential to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy throughout their life.
How does dental disease develop?
Doggy teeth go through a lot every day, from breaking down food to carrying toys to self-grooming. The combination of saliva, food, and bacteria creates plaque, a sticky substance that adheres to the tooth surface, and calcifies into tartar. If your dog’s teeth aren’t cleaned and maintained properly, plaque and tartar can build up, which can cause:
- Bleeding, inflamed gums (gingivitis)
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Painful infections and/or abscesses
- Bad breath
- Tooth loss
Periodontal disease – big ruh-roh!
You’ll hear periodontal disease, or gum disease, often talked about in dog dental health. It’s an infection of the tissue around the teeth and can cause bone and tooth loss in the advanced stages. You may not think it, but it’s one of the most common diseases affecting both dogs and cats!
Here you can see what a healthy mouth looks like vs a mouth with periodontal disease.
Advanced periodontal disease often affects your dog’s health beyond their mouth. The harmful bacteria produced in your dog’s mouth enters the bloodstream and can gradually damage the heart, kidneys, and liver. This is why regular dental care is crucial for your pup’s overall health as well. This is especially true for small and toy breeds – they have tiny mouths, which makes them more susceptible to dental disease.
The good news is a consistent dental routine can decrease your pup’s chances of developing dental disease. And if you know what signs to look for, you can catch dental problems early enough to treat them.
As with any serious health condition, the costs of treating dental disease can add up quicker than you might think. If your pup does develop dental disease, it’s priceless to know you have help getting them the treatment they need. With a pet insurance plan that covers dental illnesses – like a Pumpkin plan – you can have peace of mind knowing you have help affording your pup’s covered veterinary bills.
Next we’ll go over recommended care for your dog to reduce their chances of developing dental problems. Let’s dig in!
When it comes to your dog’s oral health, prevention is the best way to keep their mouths healthy! Here are four impawtant ways you can help keep dental disease at bay:
1. Regular Professional Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Getting regular dental checkups is crucial for preventing dental disease and catching the early signs. For tip-top oral health, your dog should have a professional dental checkup and cleaning every 12-24 months, depending on your veterinarian’s recommendation and your dog’s needs.
For the checkup, the veterinarian will conduct a full oral exam, including measuring periodontal pockets around the teeth with a blunt probe and taking x-rays. They will look for:
- Any missing or extra teeth, an overbite, or an under-bite
- Fractured or broken teeth
- Presence of gingivitis or periodontal disease
- Buildup of tartar on teeth and along gumline
- Abscesses or signs of infection
- Bumps or lesions that may indicate a tumor
- Any facial swelling
For a dental cleaning and checkup, the veterinarian will put your pup under anesthesia to keep them still and safe. This allows your dog to rest pain-free while the veterinarian does all the necessary checks and cleaning. To make sure general anesthesia is safe for your dog, your veterinarian will conduct a thorough pre-anesthesia evaluation and monitor your dog’s vital signs throughout the procedure.
This step is important because often your veterinarian can’t know the extent of dental disease until your dog is under anesthesia and they perform a complete dental exam, including x-rays.
Now’s a great time to schedule your annual dental cleaning with your veterinarian!
Make your appointment
today and help keep your pup’s teeth squeaky clean.
Make your appointment today
and help keep
your pup’s teeth squeaky clean.
During the cleaning, your veterinarian will:
- Polish your dog’s teeth to smooth out the surface and make it harder for plaque to stick
- Flush your dog’s mouth to remove any remaining bits of plaque or tartar
- Make any recommendations for ongoing dental care
2. Home Tooth Brushing
Daily tooth brushing is one of the most important things you can do to prevent dental disease. Even though dental disease is common and affects a majority of dogs, only 8% of dog parents brush their dog’s teeth daily!
Brushing those canine teeth daily is a great way to help prevent the buildup of plaque, which is a yellow-colored bacteria film. Brushing regularly gently removes that leftover gunk that can calcify into tartar. This is key as once tartar forms, it can only be removed by a veterinarian.
Coaxing your dog into teeth cleaning may be challenging (especially if they’re not used to it), but it’s worth getting right. Here's some advice to help you get those teeth clean.
How to clean your dog’s teeth
Step 1 – Start early and gradually
The sooner you can start brushing your dog's teeth, the better. The key is getting your pup used to you touching their mouth inside and out. Run your fingers over the outside of their mouths, chin, and cheeks. The whisker area may be sensitive, so go slow. After your dog is comfortable with this, run your finger around the inside of their mouth, and over the gums.
Make sure to give them praise as you go!
Step 2 – Make teeth cleaning tasty
Next, put a dab of pet toothpaste on your finger and let your dog taste it. Pet toothpaste comes in many flavors such as chicken, liver, or peanut butter, and your pup will like the taste. Never use human toothpaste as fluoride will upset your dog’s digestive system, and is toxic when swallowed.
Step 3 – Introduce the toothbrush
Now you can introduce your pup to a doggy toothbrush. Start by letting them mouth and play with it. When they’re comfortable, add toothpaste and let them lick it off. If that goes well, gently brush the outside of your dog’s teeth and gums using slow, circular motions. You’ll want to angle the brush bristles up toward the gum line to clean it. Start with a few teeth at a time, before progressing to the whole mouth and the inside of the teeth. If your dog just isn’t having it, you can use cotton gauze wrapped around your finger, a dental wipe, or a finger brush.
Step 4 – Keep it brief and fun
You only need a couple of minutes each day to achieve good oral health. Keep teeth cleanings quick, and use praise throughout to make the sessions a positive experience. Make sure to reward your pup with healthy treats and give them lots of love afterward!
If you'd like to see this in practice, watch this helpful video.
3. A Balanced, Healthy Diet
A balanced diet plays a key role in healthy teeth and gums and boosts your pup’s overall health. Many pet parents believe that kibble will clean their dog’s teeth, however, it’s only helpful to the point that kibble/crunchy food provides friction to the surface of the tooth enamel. It cannot remove plaque or tartar, especially not at the gumline, which is the most important zone.
In addition to a healthy diet, you may consider giving your pup enzymatic rinses and water additives. These can help prevent the formation of plaque on your dog’s teeth by raising the pH balance in your dog’s mouth and demineralizing the plaque. They can be sprinkled on top of dog food, or added to your dog’s water bowl.
4. Dental Friendly Toys and Treats
Dental-friendly toys and treats are beneficial as teeth cleaning tools. As your dog chews them, they scrape the plaque off the tooth and massage the gums for better dental health. If you’re not sure what to get, you can safely give your dog any product approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.
Here are some examples of products you can give your pup:
- Kongs
- Nylabones
- Dental chewable treats
Chewing is very important for all dogs – it can help them relieve stress, provide mental stimulation, and keep their teeth healthy. However, it can cause harm if they’re gnawing on the wrong stuff.
Always avoid giving your pup:
- Any bones or chew sticks that can fracture teeth
- Anything that can splinter and leave sharp edges that can cut your dog’s gums, tongue, or be swallowed and create havoc in their gastrointestinal system
- Tennis balls – while they're okay for fetch, they are not good chew toys
Next up, we’re helping you recognize the common signs of dental disease.
If your dog yawns and you get a whiff of stinky breath, it might mean they're having dental problems! Knowing what to look out for is key in recognizing and seeking treatment for doggy dental disease, and we’re here to help.
These signs are clear indicators that something is up with your pup’s chompers:
- Unusually smelly breath
- Bloody or swollen mouth or gums
- Facial swelling
- Pain around or inside the mouth
- Broken or discolored teeth
- Visible tartar buildup on the teeth and gum line
- Abnormal chewing
- Drooling (sometimes bloody) or dropping food from mouth
- Sneezing or nasal discharge (dental disease on upper teeth can destroy the bone and invade the nasal cavity)
- Decreased appetite or refusal to eat
Remember, even though you should always do your own checks, nothing can replace a dental exam by your veterinarian.
Book a dental health
checkup with your
veterinarian today.
Book a dental health checkup with your veterinarian today.
Now we’ll take you through what will happen if your dog shows signs of dental disease, and how it can be treated.
If your own checks or your veterinarian’s exam reveals signs of dental disease, the treatment will depend on how advanced the disease is.
Mild
There’s a buildup of plaque and tartar on the tooth, red gums, but no bone loss.
Treatment
A professional cleaning and ongoing daily brushing can treat this.
Moderate
There’s a buildup of plaque and tartar on the tooth, red gums, and some mild bone loss.
Treatment
A professional cleaning and ongoing daily brushing will be necessary so there is no further bone loss.
Advanced
There’s a buildup of plaque and tartar on the tooth and below the gumline, inflamed gums, and significant bone loss.
Treatment
A professional cleaning and ongoing daily brushing will be necessary so there is no further bone loss, and extraction will be required for teeth with too much bone loss.
Severe
Over 50% of the bone has been lost, the gums are infected, and in the most severe cases, the infection has spread to the bloodstream.
Treatment
Damaged teeth will need to be extracted, and the gums will need to be surgically closed with sutures. If an infection is present, antibiotics are typically prescribed. Dogs will also need soft food and pain management after dental treatments.
If your dog needs oral surgery, a Veterinary Dental Specialist may be called in for more involved procedures such as removing tumors, excising gums with severe periodontal disease, root canals, or tooth extractions for damaged or impacted teeth. These procedures may sound scary, but your dog will quickly be back to their normal selves.
If your dog develops dental disease, it pays to have pet insurance to help you cover the costs of the treatment they may need. A Pumpkin Pet Insurance plan can give you up to 90% cash back on covered veterinary bills for eligible dental illnesses, making it easier to say ‘yes’ to the best dental care for your pup.
Final Thoughts
Any degree of dental disease can be ruff for your pup. It’s vitally important to maintain a consistent routine, to have regular professional cleanings, and to provide the right diet so your dog can live a longer, healthier life.
The next time you see your veterinarian, ask their advice for the best dental care for your dog and if they recommend any specific preventative measures. Your pup (and all 42 of their teeth) will thank you for it!
Here’s what we’ll go over.
If you want to jump to a specific section, just click on it!
Did you know that taking care of your kitty’s pearly whites is just as important as taking care of your own? With dental disease affecting 50% to 90% of cats over the age of four, regular dental care is essential to help keep your cat's teeth and gums healthy throughout their life.
Cats need a little help from their humans when it comes to dental care. In the wild, cats' teeth are maintained by their diet. They eat small rodents and typically consume both the fur and bones – this flosses their teeth and scrapes the tooth surface clean.
Your indoor cat likely isn’t catching and eating small rodents on the regular! Without your assistance, your domestic kitty might not be meeting all their dental care needs and may develop dental disease later down the line.
How does dental disease develop?
Cats’ unique tooth shape allows food to get caught between their teeth and along their gums. The combination of saliva, food, and bacteria creates plaque, a yellow, sticky substance that adheres to the tooth surface, and calcifies into tartar. If your cat’s teeth aren’t cleaned and maintained properly, plaque and tartar can build up, which can cause:
- Tooth decay
- Bleeding, inflamed gums (gingivitis)
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Painful infections and/or abscesses
- Bad breath
- Tooth loss
Periodontal disease – big meow-ch!
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection of the tissue around a cat’s teeth and can cause bone and tooth loss in the advanced stages. In fact, it’s one of the most common diseases affecting both cats and dogs!
Here you can see what a healthy cat’s mouth looks like vs a cat’s mouth with periodontal disease.
Advanced periodontal disease often affects your cat’s health beyond their mouth. The harmful bacteria produced in your cat’s mouth enters the bloodstream and can gradually damage the heart, kidneys, and liver. This is why regular dental care is crucial for your cat’s overall health as well.
If left untreated, advanced periodontal disease can also trigger Feline Tooth Resorption. This is when the dentin in the tooth (the bit right underneath the enamel) erodes. This affects close to 75% of cats over the age of five and is the most common reason for tooth loss in cats.
The good news is, a consistent dental routine can decrease your cat’s chances of developing dental disease. And if you know what signs to look for, you can catch dental problems early enough to treat them.
As with any serious health condition, the costs of treating dental disease can add up quicker than you might think. If your cat does develop dental disease, it’s priceless to know you have help getting them the treatment they need. With a pet insurance plan that covers dental illnesses – like a Pumpkin plan – you can have peace of mind knowing you have help affording your kitty’s covered veterinary bills.
Next we’ll go over recommended care for your cat to reduce their chances of developing dental problems. Let’s dive in!
Consistent dental care is the best way to prevent feline dental disease and keep your kitty’s mouth healthy. Here are three impawtant ways you can help keep dental disease at bay:
1. Regular Professional Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Getting regular dental checkups is crucial for preventing dental disease and catching the early signs. Depending on your cat’s age, genetics, diet, and overall health, your veterinarian may advise yearly, or twice-yearly dental exams to maintain tip-top oral health.
For the checkup, the veterinarian will conduct a full oral exam, including measuring periodontal pockets around the teeth with a blunt probe and taking x-rays. They will look for:
- Any missing or extra teeth, an overbite, or an under-bite
- Fractured or broken teeth
- Presence of gingivitis or periodontal disease
- Buildup of tartar on teeth and along gumline
- Abscesses or signs of infection
- Bumps or lesions that may indicate a tumor
- Any facial swelling
During the cleaning, your veterinarian will:
- Polish your cat’s teeth to smooth out the surface and make it harder for plaque to stick
- Flush your cat’s mouth to remove any remaining bits of plaque or tartar
- Make any recommendations for ongoing dental care
For a dental cleaning and checkup, the veterinarian will put your cat under anesthesia to keep them still and safe. This allows your cat to rest pain-free while the veterinarian does all the necessary checks and cleaning. To make sure general anesthesia is safe for your cat, your veterinarian will conduct a thorough pre-anesthesia evaluation and monitor your cat’s vital signs throughout the procedure.
This step is important because often your veterinarian can’t know the extent of dental disease until your cat is under anesthesia and they perform a complete dental exam, including x-rays.
Now’s a great time to schedule your annual dental cleaning with your veterinarian!
Make your appointment
today and help keep your cat’s teeth squeaky clean.
Make your appointment today
and help keep
your cat’s teeth squeaky clean.
2. Home Tooth Brushing
Regular brushing is one of the most important things you can do to prevent dental disease. Even though dental disease is common and affects a majority of cats, a massive 73% of cat parents don’t brush their kitty’s teeth at all!
Brushing those feline teeth weekly, or daily if you can, is a great way to help prevent the buildup of plaque, which is a yellow-colored bacteria film. Brushing regularly gently removes that leftover gunk that can calcify into tartar. This is key as once tartar forms, it can only be removed by a veterinarian.
Many cats aren’t crazy about you messing with their mouths, but it’s possible to ease them into the process with patience and treats. The earlier you can start a dental care routine with your kitty, the better for their health. Here's some advice to help you get those teeth clean.
Step 3 – Introduce the toothbrush
A cat toothbrush does a great job of removing food buildup from your cat’s teeth, so it’s worth it to get your cat on board. Cats like to chew on bristles, so offer the brush to let your cat get used to the texture and brush in their mouth. If a toothbrush is a no-go, a finger brush, a dental wipe, or gauze wrapped around your finger is a great alternative.
To clean, you can put the toothbrush, finger brush, or gauze with toothpaste into your cat’s mouth, and gently rub against the outside of the teeth in small, slow circles. Be sure to gently massage the gums as well.
Step 4 – Keep it brief and fun
Try to make the brushing quick, a few minutes max, and keep the atmosphere calm and relaxing. Start with just a few teeth in the beginning if you need. Cat treats can help you along and make brushing a positive experience. Make sure to reward your kitty by giving them lots of love and attention afterward!
Ideally, your cat’s teeth should be brushed daily, although brushing at least three times per week will help with your cat’s oral health and prevent gum disease.
If you’d like to see teeth brushing in practice, watch this helpful video.
How to clean your cat’s teeth
Step 1 – Start early and gradually
First, you want to get your cat used to you touching their teeth and gums. Gently rub around the mouth, and when your cat is comfortable with that, try slipping your finger in between their lips and touching their gums. When they’re ready, you can try rubbing your finger over their teeth as well.
Step 2 – Make teeth cleaning tasty
The next step is to add the toothpaste. Pet toothpaste comes flavored with chicken or fish, and your cat should find it yummy. Let your cat smell and lick it first, and if they like it, you can try rubbing it gently on the outside of the teeth. A dab on your finger is all you need. Never use human toothpaste as fluoride will upset your cat’s digestive system.
3. A Balanced, Healthy Diet
A balanced diet plays a key role in healthy teeth and gums and boosts your cat’s overall health. When cats have dental disease, veterinarians may prescribe a dental food designed to reduce the growth of bacteria and plaque. The kibble in this type of diet is larger, and the fibers are formulated to encourage chewing or biting – this creates the abrasive action of cleaning the teeth.
You can supplement a healthy diet with dental products that contain enzymes and other ingredients that fight bacteria. These might include oral rinses or sea kelp additives in small amounts. These are helpful if your cat won’t let you come near them with a toothbrush!
Remember, you can safely give your cat any product approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.
Next up, we’re helping you recognize the common signs of dental disease.
If your cat licks your face and you can smell radioactive kitty breath, it might mean they're having dental problems! It’s important to be alert to changes in your cat’s behavior because cats won’t always show you that they’re in pain.
Tooth or mouth pain is especially hard to spot because a cat will continue eating normally until the dental problems are advanced and very painful. Knowing exactly what to look out for is key in recognizing and seeking treatment for cat dental disease, and we’re here to help.
These signs are clear indicators that something is up with your cat’s chompers:
- Unusually smelly breath
- Bloody, red, or swollen mouth or gums
- Pain around or inside the mouth – you may notice this when your cat takes a bite of something (often cold) and makes a ‘funny face’
- Exposed tooth roots
- Visible tartar buildup and discolored teeth
- Pawing the teeth or mouth
- Drooling (sometimes bloody)
- Dropping food when eating
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating (e.g. will only eat canned food)
- Grooming less often
- Weight loss
