🦷 Dental Care in Dogs and Cats: What to Expect in 2025 🐶🐱

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Just like humans, our furry companions need regular dental care to stay healthy. Without it, dental disease can quietly cause pain, tooth loss, and even infections that spread to the heart, kidneys, or liver. 🩺

Studies show that by age 3:

• 🐕 Over 80% of dogs have signs of dental disease
• 🐈 More than 70% of cats show oral problems

Unfortunately, dental disease often develops without visible signs. That’s why prevention and early detection are critical. 🧠

🦠 How Dental Disease Develops

It all starts with plaque — a sticky film made of bacteria, saliva, and food particles that forms within hours of eating. If not brushed away, plaque hardens into tartar and causes:

• 🔴 Gingivitis (red, swollen gums)
• 🦴 Periodontitis (bone and tissue loss)
• 💔 Infections that can spread to internal organs

🐾 Small breeds and flat-faced dogs (e.g., Pugs, Bulldogs) are especially prone due to crowded teeth. 🧬

🪥 At-Home Brushing: Your First Line of Defense

Daily brushing is the gold standard in pet dental care. Here’s how to build a brushing routine:

🎯 Step-by-Step Brushing:

1. 👆 Start by touching your pet’s lips and teeth with your finger
2. 🧽 Use a soft cloth or gauze to wipe the teeth and gums
3. 🪥 Graduate to a pet toothbrush with enzymatic toothpaste

⚠️ Never use human toothpaste — it contains ingredients like xylitol that can be toxic to pets.

Choose toothpaste with flavors your pet will enjoy — poultry, beef, or malt. It may take weeks to build the routine, so stay patient and reward with praise or dental treats! 🏆

📅 Brushing Schedule:

• 💪 Ideal: Every day
• 👍 Minimum: 3–4 times per week

🦷 Dental Products That Help

Besides brushing, consider adding VOHC-approved products to your pet’s dental routine:

• 🦴 Dental chews and treats
• 🍽️ Specially formulated dental diets
• 💦 Water additives
• 🧴 Oral sprays and gels

These products support brushing but don’t replace it. Look for the VOHC seal for science-backed effectiveness. ✅

🧼 Professional Dental Cleanings

Even with great home care, most pets need professional dental cleanings — under anesthesia — every 6 to 24 months, depending on risk. 🏥

🔍 What Happens During a Cleaning:

• 🩺 Full oral exam
• 🧼 Scaling and polishing of each tooth (above and below the gumline)
• 🩻 Intra-oral dental X-rays
• 🦷 Extraction or treatment of diseased teeth if needed

⚠️ Anesthesia-free cleanings may sound tempting but are ineffective and risky. They only clean the surface and miss serious problems hiding below the gumline. 🧠

🩺 Is Anesthesia Safe?

Yes, especially with today’s modern monitoring and protocols. Before cleaning, your pet will receive:

• 🧪 Blood tests to check organ function
• 💉 IV fluids for hydration
• 📊 Monitoring of heart rate, oxygen, and body temperature

🧠 When More Than Cleaning Is Needed

Some pets may require advanced dental procedures:

• 🦷 Root canals for broken teeth
• 🦴 Selective extractions for crowding or misalignment
• 🪛 Braces for malocclusion (especially in flat-faced breeds)

These are typically handled by a veterinary dentist using advanced tools and techniques. 🛠️

🧪 Emerging Treatments in Veterinary Dentistry

Veterinary dental care is always evolving. Newer options include:

• 🧬 Probiotics for oral microbiome balance
• 🌿 Hyaluronic acid gels to soothe and heal gums
• 🔴 Laser therapy to reduce inflammation after surgery

These may be used alongside brushing, cleanings, or surgery to enhance outcomes. 🧠

🗣️ Education + Prevention = Long-Term Health

You are your pet’s best advocate. Ask your vet at every checkup:

• 🦷 “How do my pet’s teeth look?”
• 🪥 “Can you show me how to brush?”
• 📋 “Which products would you recommend?”

Many clinics now use dental report cards and photos to show you what’s going on inside your pet’s mouth. 📸

📱 Use Ask A Vet to Track and Manage Dental Care

Staying on top of brushing, cleanings, and products can be hard — but the Ask A Vet App makes it easy:

• 📅 Track brushing habits and cleaning appointments
• 💬 Ask questions anytime about oral care
• 📷 Upload photos to monitor progress

Visit AskAVet.com to start your pet’s dental care plan today! 🐶🐱🦷

🧠 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Good dental care isn’t a luxury — it’s essential to your pet’s health and comfort. With daily brushing, smart product choices, and regular vet visits, you can prevent pain, infection, and tooth loss. ❤️

Protecting your dog or cat’s teeth gives them more than a clean smile — it gives them a longer, healthier life. 🐾🪥