Banish Doggy Breath and Get Kissable Canine Smiles Again!

By: Barbara Caldwell, DVM

May 16th, 2023

Have you ever had your dog lick you and thought, "Wow, my dog's breath really smells bad"? Just like humans, dogs and cats get plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth and below the gum line. This comes from the bacteria that occurs naturally in their mouth and from foods and other things they eat and chew on. Humans generally brush their teeth once to twice a day and have regular cleanings at the dentist. Unfortunately, a majority of dogs and cats do not get regular preventative dental care. This leads to gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth abscesses which then leads to the need for tooth extractions. Along with this comes pain, difficulty chewing food, and infection. In the long run these combined can then lead to major organ disease and overall health problems if left untreated.

A complete veterinary dental exam includes evaluating each tooth for fractures, gum loss, amount of tartar (calculus) buildup, periodontal pocketing, pain, swelling, and bleeding or drainage. A full oral exam is also evaluated to note any oral masses and abnormalities not related to dental issues. A complete oral exam has historically only occurred with an animal under anesthesia, which not only allows for a thorough exam, but radiographs (x-rays) to evaluate below the gum line where over 60% of dental disease is found. A treatment plan can then be formulated and address any concerns, as well as cleaning and polishing of the teeth.

The main problem comes when owners do not pursue dental care and cleanings because of the anesthesia and the costs associated with safely doing these procedures. In addition, there is an extreme scheduling backlog and staffing shortage that COVID-19 caused within the veterinary profession, which has led to many pets not getting the dental care they need.

Non-anesthetic dental cleanings or Professional Outpatient Preventative Dentistry (POPD), when done correctly, can be a valuable supplemental treatment for our canine and feline friends. These are NOT a substitute for anesthetic dental procedures and there are numerous limitations on when these types of cleaning procedures are appropriate. Radiographs and extractions, for example, can not be performed with a pet awake, no matter how well behaved they are. Pets that have moderate to severe periodontal disease and calculus buildup, have tooth fractures, exposed tooth roots or deeper gingival pocketing are not good candidates for this type of procedure. Also, pets that are fearful, very nervous, or aggressive will not be a good candidate for POPD. Pets that are young, have had an anesthetic cleaning in the previous year, and are relatively calm and cooperative are the best candidates for this type of preventative care.

The veterinarians at MoVET have elected to begin offering appointments for these procedures while working closely with trained veterinary dental technicians to help reduce plaque buildup. With the help of POPDs, we are excited to move forward with oral health education and better overall oral care for our canine and feline friends at home.

SCHEDULE A TEETH CLEANING FOR YOUR DOG TODAY!

DENTAL EXAM + IN-DEPTH TEETH CLEANING - $290

* It is always up to the veterinarian whether your pet is a candidate for the service.

* This is not intended to replace a dental under anesthesia but rather to be part of your pet's dental plan.