Myths surrounding pet dental health cause owners to miss out on identifying early signs of oral disease. Although these myths have been passed down through generations, they can lead to delayed treatment and additional pain for pets. Below are five common myths associated with pet dental care and what each owner needs to understand.
Myth 1: “Bad breath is just a normal dog or cat thing.”
While many believe that a foul smell from a pet’s breath is normal, this is actually false. Healthy dogs and cats typically do not have a foul-smelling breath. A mild odor is typical after eating; however, a constant foul smell (metallic, like trash, etc.) indicates either a plaque build-up, periodontal disease, or an infectious condition.
If you ignore symptoms of bad breath, you will only allow the dental disease to worsen, resulting in potential additional pain, tooth loss, or spreading the infection to other parts of the body. Instead of believing that bad breath is normal, use it as a signal to set up an appointment with your veterinarian to check the dental health of your pet.
Myth 2: “Bones and antlers are great for cleaning teeth.”
Bone and antler-type chew toys are often suggested for promoting dental health due to the fact that they will clean the teeth by scraping off the plaque. Unfortunately, bone and antler-type chew toys are among the top reasons why pets fracture their teeth.
Broken teeth are painful for pets and frequently need to be treated by veterinarians or extracted. A general guideline is that if you are unable to create an indentation in the toy using your thumb nail, then it is likely too hard for your pet’s teeth. It would be safer for your pet’s dental health to choose a chew toy designed specifically for dental health and approved by your veterinarian.
Myth 3: “Crunchy kibble cleans a dog’s teeth automatically.”
Dry kibble provides minimal abrasion and does not remove plaque or prevent periodontal disease. Dogs usually consume kibble so fast that there is no time to properly chew the food. As a result, the majority of the plaque and bacteria remain on the teeth.
If your pet has not had his/her teeth brushed regularly or received proper dental care, the plaque will become hardened into tartar, which cannot be cleaned by consumption of food. Therefore, a comprehensive dental health plan is far superior totrusting in kibble.
Myth 4: “If my pet is still eating, their mouth doesn’t hurt.”
Pets possess incredible abilities to mask pain. Many pets will continue to eat despite having bleeding gums, broken teeth, infected roots, or exposed nerves. Pet owners are misled when they believe that their pet is okay because they have continued to eat even though their pet suffers from chronic discomfort.
Dental disease can severely diminish your pet’s quality of life months before he/she stops eating. Therefore, regular oral examinations performed by a veterinarian are necessary for early detection of problems.
Myth 5: “Groomers can do a full dental cleaning.”
While many groomers provide basic dental care (tooth brushing), which can enhance your pet’s overall oral health by removing surface dirt and helping to improve breath, grooming is limited in comparison to performing a dental cleaning.
Performing a total dental cleaning includes thoroughly cleaning underneath the gum line, where the vast majority of the harm occurs. For this process to be done safely and successfully, specific dental instruments are required, along with a possible dental radiograph and anesthesia. Your veterinarian is the only one who can perform a complete professional dental cleaning.
Conclusion:
By being aware of the common myths related to dental issues in pets, you can identify problems earlier, possibly preventing more severe conditions and providing your pet with relief from unnecessary pain. Breath that is fresh, healthy gums, regular tooth brushing, safe chew toys, and scheduled veterinary dental exams are all components of maintaining the healthiest possible mouth for your dog/cat during their entire lifetime.
References
Accepted Products | Veterinary Oral Health Council (https://vohc.org/accepted-products/)
The Importance of Pet Dental Care (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k62Y1-cP6U)
For Pet Owners – Anesthesia Free Pet Dental Cleanings – Know the Facts (https://afd.avdc.org/category/for-pet-owners/)
