Your Pet's Dental Health: FAQ

Your pet's mouth is connected to the rest of their body, so dental problems rarely stay in the mouth. When plaque and tartar build up along the gumline, they can lead to inflammation, infection, and painful gum disease. Left untreated, that ongoing infection can affect a pet's comfort, appetite, and overall wellbeing.

Just as importantly, dental disease is painful, and pets are very good at hiding pain. Many families tell us their pet seemed "younger again" after a dental problem was treated. Keeping the mouth healthy is one of the most meaningful things you can do for your pet's quality of life.

You know your pet best, so you're often the first to notice something is off. Signs that are worth a call or an exam include:

• Bad breath that seems stronger or different than usual
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Yellow or brown tartar buildup on the teeth
• Dropping food, chewing on one side, or reluctance to eat hard food
• Pawing at the mouth or face, or shying away when touched near the muzzle
• Loose, broken, or discolored teeth
• Excess drooling, or a change in eating or grooming habits

Because pets instinctively hide discomfort, it's normal for there to be no obvious signs at all, even when there is disease below the gumline. That's why routine dental checks during wellness exams are so valuable.

A thorough cleaning means examining and cleaning every surface of every tooth, including below the gumline where disease actually starts, and taking dental x-rays. This simply isn't possible on an awake pet who doesn't understand why we're asking them to hold still, and attempting it can be stressful or even unsafe. Anesthesia lets us do a complete, gentle job while keeping your pet still, pain-free, and unaware of the procedure.

Anesthesia is very safe for the vast majority of healthy pets, and we take your pet's safety seriously at every step. Before a procedure we perform a physical exam and pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and during the procedure a certified veterinary technician monitors your pet continuously under the doctor's supervision.

You may see "anesthesia-free dental cleaning" offered elsewhere. These only scrape the visible surface of the tooth and cannot address disease below the gumline, so they can create a misleading appearance of health while leaving the real problem untreated.

You can read exactly how we keep your pet safe, step by step, on our What's Included in a Dental Cleaning page.

Dental x-rays (radiographs) are images of the parts of the teeth you can't see: the roots and the bone that surround them, hidden below the gumline. A tooth can look perfectly healthy on the surface while a problem such as an abscess, bone loss, a fractured root, or a retained baby tooth is developing underneath.

Because so much of a tooth is below the gumline, x-rays are one of the best tools we have for finding hidden, painful problems and treating them before they become serious. They help us make sure nothing is missed.

There's no single answer that fits every pet. How often a pet needs a professional cleaning depends on their species, breed, age, genetics, diet, and home care. Some pets build up tartar quickly and benefit from more frequent cleanings, while others go longer between them.

As a general guideline, we recommend having your pet's teeth evaluated by a veterinarian at least once a year, usually as part of their annual wellness exam. From there, we can recommend a cleaning schedule that fits your individual pet.

Yes, and daily brushing is one of the most effective things you can do at home to slow plaque and tartar buildup between professional cleanings. The key is to go slowly and keep it positive.

• Use a pet-specific toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste, as ingredients such as xylitol and fluoride can be harmful if swallowed.
• Use a soft pet toothbrush or a finger brush.
• Start gradually: let your pet taste the toothpaste, then get them used to having their mouth touched before you introduce the brush.
• Focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth along the gumline, and keep each session short and rewarding.
• Aim for daily brushing if you can, since plaque begins to harden into tartar within a couple of days.

Not every pet will tolerate brushing, and that's okay. If it isn't working for you and your pet, let us know and we can talk about other options. We're glad to demonstrate technique during a visit.

They can help as part of an overall dental care plan, but they are not a replacement for brushing or professional cleanings. Certain dental diets, treats, chews, and water additives are designed to reduce plaque and tartar, and some have been independently evaluated for effectiveness.

When choosing products, look for ones that carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance, which indicates the product has met a standard for reducing plaque or tartar. Be cautious with very hard chews such as bones, antlers, and hooves, as these can fracture teeth.

We're happy to recommend products that are a good fit for your specific pet, so please ask.

Yes, and this is an area where our clinic has deep experience. Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and many other small mammals have teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. This is very different from dogs and cats, and it means their dental care needs are unique.

These species rely on a high-fiber diet, especially plenty of grass hay, to naturally wear their teeth down as they eat. When the teeth don't wear evenly, they can overgrow or form sharp points and spurs that cut into the cheek or tongue, which is painful and can make eating difficult. Because much of the tooth in these species sits below the gumline, problems often involve the roots as well.

Signs of dental trouble in small mammals can be subtle: reduced appetite, dropping food, drooling or a wet chin, weight loss, smaller droppings, or a preference for softer foods. Any of these warrant prompt attention, because small mammals can become seriously ill quickly when they stop eating. Small mammals make up a significant part of our patient population, and we're well equipped to care for their specialized dental needs.

Sometimes a tooth is too damaged or diseased to save, whether from advanced gum disease, a fracture, or infection. In those cases, removing the tooth is the kindest option, because it takes away a source of ongoing pain and infection. A diseased or painful tooth is often causing far more trouble than its absence will.

Extractions are done while your pet is safely under anesthesia and receiving pain management. We provide pain control before, during, and after the procedure, and send home any additional medications your pet needs to stay comfortable while the area heals.

Most pets recover quickly and, importantly, feel much better once the source of pain is gone. Many pets eat, play, and interact more happily than they had in a long time. Your care team will go over home care and what to expect at discharge.