Preventive dental care is often significantly more affordable than treating advanced diseases: Here’s how you can prevent problems

Many pet owners are surprised to hear that it is estimated that over 80 percent of three-year-old dogs and cats have some degree of dental disease. Oral health is an essential part of a pet’s overall health, as untreated gingivitis and tartar can lead to serious infections that may spread through the bloodstream to internal organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Tartar and gingivitis are silent conditions

Pets are masters at hiding pain. Unlike humans, a dog or cat rarely stops eating because of dental pain until the condition has progressed very far.

The first sign of problems is often bad breath. This odour is caused by bacteria that form plaque on the surface of the teeth. If plaque is not removed by brushing, it hardens under the influence of minerals in saliva and turns into tartar.

Tartar itself provides protection for bacteria, which then penetrate under the gum line, causing inflammation and eventually the destruction of the tissues that support the teeth (periodontitis).

Feline Tooth Resorption (TR)

Cats often suffer from a specific dental disease called tooth resorption (TR). In this condition, the hard tissue of the tooth begins to break down, which is painful for the animal.

The exact cause is not fully known, but regular dental check-ups and X-ray examinations are the only ways to detect these changes early, as the resorption often begins below the gum line or at the root of the tooth.

A toothbrush also belongs in the care routine of cats and dogs

No chew bone or special diet can replace mechanical tooth brushing. We recommend teaching your pet to tolerate tooth brushing already as a puppy, but even an older dog or cat can learn it through positive reinforcement.

Use toothpaste designed for pets (human toothpaste contains xylitol and fluoride, which are toxic to pets) and a soft brush. Daily brushing removes plaque before it has time to harden.

When is professional care needed?

Even if you brush your pet’s teeth daily, tartar can still form due to structural reasons or the composition of saliva. Its removal requires a professional.

Dental cleaning is always performed under inhalation anaesthesia. This is necessary so that we can clean the gum pockets and examine each tooth carefully without causing pain or stress to the pet.

At Pups 'n Pets, we use dental X-rays to identify dental problems, as a significant portion of dental issues can only be detected in radiographs.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Regular Care

The saying “dental care is the cheapest insurance” is also true in economic terms. An annual tartar removal and dental check cost only a fraction of what surgical tooth extractions and the treatment of advanced periodontitis require.

Most importantly – and above all – you spare your pet from constant pain that can often last for years.