{"id":116,"date":"2024-02-12T08:12:01","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T16:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orovilleanimalhealthcenter.com\/blog\/?p=116"},"modified":"2024-02-12T08:12:02","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T16:12:02","slug":"pet-dental-health-myths-debunked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orovilleanimalhealthcenter.com\/blog\/pet-dental-health-myths-debunked\/","title":{"rendered":"Pet Dental Health Myths Debunked"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"dog<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Perhaps no topic in veterinary medicine is quite so misunderstood as pet dental health. Oroville Animals Health Center<\/a> thinks that caring for your pet\u2019s teeth is pretty important, and in honor of Pet Dental Health Month, we are excited to debunk some pet dental health myths for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Myth #1: Pets Don\u2019t Need Dental Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Back in the day, pets didn\u2019t receive dental care. Pets also didn\u2019t live as long and probably had more oral pain than we ever realized. The average lifespan for a dog in the wild<\/a> is less than 10 years\u2014most of us hope for much more for our pets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over 70% of dogs and 80% of cats<\/a> have some form of dental disease before the age of three. Dental disease<\/a> can lead to pain, tooth loss, and infection of bone. No pet should need to endure that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myth #2: At Home (Treats, Brushing, Etc.) Is All My Pet Needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myth #3: Anesthetic-Free Dental Cleanings are a Good Option<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n