How Important Are Those Teeth?

Our small animal companions share our homes and our lives. We feed them, make sure they have regular veterinary care, play with them, and treat them like members of our families. We all want them to be happy and healthy, and to make sure they have the best life they can. Our dogs and cats use their noses and mouths to explore their world. Our dogs’ and cats’ mouths come into contact with our furniture, our dishes, our SELVES.  Their mouths also chew on many things: other animals, rocks, dirt, their feet, and other unmentionable, but fairly gross things. How do we make sure that their mouths are as healthy as possible?

Dogs and cats have some similar realities and issues with their mouths, but there are also some important differences. Dogs and cats don’t brush their teeth, which means that food and bacteria can build up easily in their mouths. We feed them an artificial diet (as compared to their diet “in the wild”), which takes away lots of tough chewing activity. The bacteria that grow in the mouth and around the teeth can be very harmful, and because the bacteria are on a mucous membrane (the gums) in the mouth, they can have ready access to the animal’s bloodstream. This means that the bacteria in a mouth can become blood-borne and travel in the body to the organs. Bacteria from a bad mouth can cause kidney and heart infections.  In addition, an animal’s mouth with significant tarter, receding gums, exposed tooth roots and gingivitis is painful.  Bad teeth can be responsible for mouth odor, decreased appetite, drooling, decreased activity, and disease. 

Cats are more likely than dogs to build up tartar on their upper molars without associated extensive gingivitis.  However, cats have several poorly understood syndromes that affect their mouths, and can require ongoing care.  They can have a certain problem where their own immune system attacks their teeth.  This can form something known as “neck lesions” where the gums around the teeth are red and very painful.  The teeth can look fine while this is going on, but the roots of the teeth are being destroyed.  Several viral infections can also make cats much more susceptible to chronic mouth inflammation and pain.

How do you care for their mouths?  Brushing their teeth is an option, and we would be happy to discuss this with you. I, however, have known very few people who make this a workable reality in their daily life. Dogs who like to chew can be encouraged to chew on the kinds of toys that help clean teeth, like Denta-bones and the rope toys. Crunchy food, or treats like apple pieces, can help clean teeth. 

The main thing with both dogs and cats is to check their mouths regularly and have their mouths evaluated by a veterinarian at least yearly. Prompt cleanings before the development of major gum and tooth disease are key to preserving the teeth and decreasing mouth problems as animals age. Dental cleanings are done under anesthesia, and the teeth are scaled and polished. We often put animals on antibiotics to decrease any likelihood of bacteria reaching the bloodstream.

Recently, there has been new research on dogs and dental disease. Researchers have found significant variation in the make-up of saliva in the different breeds of dogs, which means there are genetic tendencies in some breeds to have bad mouths regardless of their care. As a result of this research, a vaccine is close to being on the market that is supposed to decrease the bacteria that cause tartar in dogs’ mouths.  Please ask about it the next time you are in. 

February each year is Dental Awareness Month. To support this effort and encourage regular dental care, we give a 10% discount on dentals we do in that month. We encourage you to have a discussion with us about your animal’s teeth any time you are in to see us, and we will advise you on an approach tailored to your pet’s needs.