Open Wide!
by Dr. Michelle DeHaven
Cumberland Animal Clinic

February is Dental Health Month! This month's column will address some common questions about the care and keeping of your pet's mouth.

Some time ago, little attention was paid to the oral health of animals. In part, that was due to differing attitudes about the roles of pets in the household, but it was also because we hadn't had much reason to care. Pet dental care has lagged behind other veterinary disciplines, but that is changing now. Research has shown that, just as in humans, oral care can impact internal health and quality of life. At most veterinary exams, you should expect to receive an assessment of how your pet's teeth appear, suggestions on treatment needed, and what you can do at home. The three most common questions I hear regarding a pet's health are: Does food matter? Can I brush her teeth at home? And WHY does my pet need cleanings so often, despite me doing everything I can to prevent it? I'll briefly answer these here.

Does food matter? Depends on who you ask. Dogs chew their food, cats swallow dry food whole. Although it has been shown that food that requires vigorous chewing is better for tooth and gum health, it's hard to make that argument for a cat, when they are unlikely to chew it. For a dog, occasionally using a kibble that is larger and harder (like Hill's t/d) will help to reduce some tartar deposits. T/d is available for cats as well, but these days I do not recommend an exclusively dry diet to any cat, because of links to diabetes and urinary disease. As for the brand of food overall, a higher-quality diet probably improves oral heath along with general health.

Can I brush at home? You sure can! Tooth brushes and toothpaste are available at your veterinarian and at the pet store. I usually start with a small dab of flavored paste on my finger and dab it on gums and teeth to get the pet used to that. Once you see that your pet is amenable, you can move to a finger brush and then a small tooth brush. Not every pet will allow brushing, and I always tell my clients that aiming for daily brushing is a sure way to fail: aim for weekly at first, and increase from there if it works for you. Oral rinses are available as well, and may be a better option for those pets who resent fingers in the mouth.

Finally: after all that, why does my pet have to have a cleaning under anesthesia, sometimes annually? My stock answer is that you brush twice a day, and still get a cleaning at least once a year.... right? No matter how good a job you do brushing your pet's teeth, tartar will collect below the gumline and on the inside of the teeth, and tooth damage is often invisible until the pet is anesthetized and the mouth can be carefully inspected. Dental anesthesia is no different from that of any other surgical procedure, with the same safeguards and caveats, so please discuss everything with your veterinarian.

But, really, aside from bad breath, why should you care? Well, for one thing a broken or infected tooth hurts, and might cause a pet to stop eating. For another, poor oral health can impact how well and how long an animal can live with other conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or heart disease. Many clinics offer specials on dental care this month, so give your veterinarian a call and get your pet's teeth shiny and healthy in February!