Learning the ins and outs of your furry pal’s oral health may not be the most exciting way to spend your free time, but understanding how to keep your pet’s mouth healthy is incredibly important. To add some spice to this somewhat boring topic, we have created “Two ‘Tooths’ and a Lie,” our own version of the game “Two Truths and a Lie,” in honor of National Pet Dental Health Month. See if you can spot the lie about pet dental health before reading the explanation of the statements. 

#1: Plaque and tartar accumulate quickly in a pet’s mouth.
#2: A pet’s mouth contains few bacteria.
#3: Certain breeds are more prone to developing dental disease.

  1. Plaque begins building up on your pet’s teeth almost as soon as they eat. After only a few hours, sticky plaque has adhered to tooth enamel, and in only 24 hours, has turned into rock-solid dental calculus, or tartar. (Truth)
  2.  The belief that a pet should lick their wounds to help with healing is a common misconception, because the overwhelming amount of bacteria found in their mouth makes this impossible. In fact, oral bacteria can slip into your pet’s bloodstream, and travel to various organs, causing heart, liver, and kidney disease. (Lie)
  3. Certain breeds experience faster tartar accumulation than others, either because of a genetic predisposition or their anatomical features. Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and greyhounds are a few breeds who are notorious for dental disease, as well as pets with flat faces and abnormal bites, such as bulldogs and pugs. (Truth)

#1: You can use your own toothpaste on your pet.
#2: More than half the tooth structure is hidden below the gum line.
#3: Dental care products are a great way to help keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

  1. Since pets cannot spit out toothpaste like people, avoiding human toothpaste that contains fluoride is best. If you run out of toothpaste specifically designed for pets, simply wet the toothbrush and scrub. (Lie)
  2. Although your pet may seem to flash a large amount of toothy structure when they “smile,” about 60% of the tooth structure lies below the gum line. Since a toothbrush cannot remove the plaque and tartar there, professional dental cleanings are essential for keeping your pet’s mouth healthy. (Truth)
  3. In addition to toothbrushing, many great dental care products are available that can improve your pet’s oral health. Treats, chews, rinses, wipes, and food and water additives can reduce plaque and tartar buildup, but you must choose items that bear the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s seal of acceptance. (Truth)

#1: Proper chewing helps prevent plaque buildup.
#2: Since cats’ tongues are more abrasive than dogs’, they do not require as much dental care.
#3: Toothbrushing is the best way to preserve your pet’s oral health at home.

  1. Chewing on appropriate treats and toys can scrape off sticky plaque and reduce buildup, but you must be careful when choosing your pet’s chews, because too-hard items can cause more damage than they prevent, and may break your pet’s teeth. Avoid bones, hooves, antlers, sticks, and other hard items. (Truth)
  2. While cats’ tongues have pointed barbs that are excellent for grooming, the barbs do not adequately scrape off plaque and tartar. Your feline friend needs as much dental care as your dog, and perhaps more, if they have resorptive disease. (Lie)
  3. Yes, you can—and should—brush your pet’s teeth! Daily toothbrushing is the best way to prevent plaque buildup, and gives you the opportunity to examine your pet’s mouth for periodontal problems. (Truth)

#1: Toothless pets can still eat dry food.
#2: Anesthesia is essential for your pet’s dental cleaning.
#3: Pets don’t develop dental disease until they are middle-aged.

  1. Pets with severe dental disease, or with health issues that destroy their teeth, benefit greatly from full-mouth extractions. For example, feline resorptive disease, in which the immune system attacks tooth enamel, causes extreme pain in cats when holes appear in the enamel and the sensitive nerve is exposed. Currently, the best way to treat this pain is to remove the source by extracting the affected tooth. This disease often progresses to all the pet’s teeth, so cats eventually become toothless, but they can still eat dry food. (Truth)
  2. While anesthesia-free dental cleanings and other services that groomers offer may seem a good way to avoid anesthesia for your pet, this “procedure” can do more harm than good. Pets are often uncomfortable when people look inside their mouths, much less when sharp instruments are used. Also, they clean only the visible tooth surface, leaving the 60% below the gum line untouched, and do not take dental X-rays to check for hidden disease. A carefully formulated anesthesia protocol helps us accomplish these vital tasks, while your pet receives pain control and remains stress-free. (Truth)
  3. Pets can develop dental disease from an early age, sometimes before they have all their adult teeth in. The majority—up to 85%—of pets have dental disease by age 3, but many suffer from tartar buildup long before. While older pets certainly seem to suffer more dental disease, that often is because their disease was not addressed when they were younger. (Lie) 

We hope you had fun playing our pet dental version of “Two Truths and a Lie.” If you have questions or concerns about your furry pal’s oral health, contact our Commonwealth Animal Care team to schedule an appointment.