During National Pet Dental Health Month, Kara Carmody, an associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses tips for taking care of your pet’s dental hygiene to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing.
Q: What are some common issues with pet dental health?
Dr. Carmody: Dental disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in small animal patients. By two years of age, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of dental disease. The most common issue is periodontal disease, which affects our pets just like it does people.
Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums and structures around the tooth and can become quite severe if not addressed. Fortunately, periodontal disease can often be avoided or at least minimized with regular preventive care. Routine preventive care includes annual dental prophylaxis or cleaning — this procedure includes an exam, teeth cleaning and x-rays. The exam and x-rays reveal the degree of periodontal disease, and sometimes other problems that may include fractured teeth and painful lesions.
Q: What signs might indicate a pet has dental issues?
Dr. Carmody: It’s important to note that many pets show no signs of pain or discomfort in their mouth, so routine oral exams and annual dental cleaning are the best way to check on your pet’s dental health. Signs that your pet may have dental issues may include:
- Odor from the mouth.
- Dropping food.
- A change in eating habits.
Q: What are ways to get started with a dental hygiene routine to prevent dental issues?
Dr. Carmody: It’s never too late to start a dental hygiene routine, though we recommend consulting with your veterinarian first. The ideal dental routine would include daily brushing and annual dental cleaning, known as dental prophylaxis. Keep in mind that dental care such as brushing may actually be uncomfortable for pets with existing dental disease. We would recommend an exam first.
Q: What types of toys or food do you recommend to protect a pet's dental health?
Dr. Carmody: Some pets may benefit from Veterinary Oral Health Council-approved products such as treats or foods, and chewing on toys of appropriate density can mimic the mechanical action of food to reduce plaque build-up. Ideally, toys should be constructed of a material less dense than the enamel of the tooth to minimize the risk of tooth fracture. A good rule of thumb is that if you can indent the toy with your fingernail, it poses much less risk of causing tooth fracture.
Q: What is the College of Veterinary Medicine doing to support pet dental health?
Dr. Carmody: Oral health is a pillar of preventive care and we evaluate our patients’ oral health during annual exams and make recommendations based on individual findings. We offer routine dental cleaning with x-rays to minimize the progression of periodontal disease. We also evaluate patients specifically for dental disease and provide routine treatments, such as extractions, when appropriate.
Kara Carmody is an assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Carmody researches preventive care, with emphasis on dentistry and nutrition management.
