Perhaps no topic in veterinary medicine is quite so misunderstood as pet dental health. Oroville Animals Health Center thinks that caring for your pet’s teeth is pretty important, and in honor of Pet Dental Health Month, we are excited to debunk some pet dental health myths for you.
Myth #1: Pets Don’t Need Dental Care
Back in the day, pets didn’t receive dental care. Pets also didn’t live as long and probably had more oral pain than we ever realized. The average lifespan for a dog in the wild is less than 10 years—most of us hope for much more for our pets.
Over 70% of dogs and 80% of cats have some form of dental disease before the age of three. Dental disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, and infection of bone. No pet should need to endure that.
Myth #2: At Home (Treats, Brushing, Etc.) Is All My Pet Needs
Providing dental care at home can be very effective. It can definitely prevent and slow progression of dental disease. It also helps pet owners to become more familiar with any changes or concerns in your pet’s mouth.
Home dental care does not, however, eliminate the need for more advanced cleanings and dental work. Just as you still need to go to the dentist even though you brush and floss, your pet still needs professional oral care.
Myth #3: Anesthetic-Free Dental Cleanings are a Good Option
There are definitely groomers and other individuals who offer dental cleanings without anesthesia. All the major veterinary organizations are in agreement, though: non-anesthetic dentistry is stressful for pets, unsafe, and largely ineffective.
- Most pets are not willing participants, and strangers forcing things on them is scary.
- It is not possible to clean all sides of the teeth and under the gumline in an animal that is awake.
- Sharp and pokey instruments can be a danger in an awake animal.
- Without anesthesia, dental X-rays can’t show us what is under the gums (this is the majority of the tooth).
- Ineffective cleanings can harm our pets by making us think that we are providing better dental care than we really are.
Myth #4: My Pet Is Too Old for a Dental Cleaning
Anesthesia is always a little scary, and putting a pet under for a cleaning can be nerve-wracking. While there are some things that certainly increase a pet’s anesthetic risk, age is not one of them. Routine dental work can help older pets live longer and have an even more comfortable life while they are still with us.
Pet dental care is an important part of keeping your family friend healthy. There is a lot of misinformation floating around, but rest assured your team at Oroville Animal Health Center is here to help you sort through it. Contact us with any questions you might have.