Does having white dog teeth mean they are healthy? Can a cat's tooth be repaired if it accidentally breaks? The dental health of our furry friends is crucial to every pet owner. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Jia-Jing Zhong, director of Herui Veterinary Hospital specializing in dogs and cats, answers the five most common questions about pet dentistry.
1. Are White Teeth in Dogs and Cats a Sign of Health?
Veterinarian Dr. Zhong Jiajing explains that normal teeth in dogs and cats should appear milky white. Teeth surfaces that look black, yellow, or otherwise discolored are abnormal signs. However, simply looking at the surface of the teeth is not enough because many dental issues are hidden beneath the visible part, especially around the roots.
Pet owners are encouraged to regularly check their pets' mouths by gently lifting their lips to observe the gums for any redness, swelling, bleeding, or recession. It is also helpful to notice if there is any bad breath or to gently touch the pet's face to see if they show signs of pain or try to avoid contact.
If any of these symptoms are present, it is recommended to promptly take the pet to a veterinarian for a comprehensive oral examination to ensure proper dental health and address any underlying problems.
2. Do Dogs and Cats Need Anesthesia for Dental Cleaning? Can Senior Pets Undergo Dental Cleaning?
Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot simply open their mouths willingly for dental cleaning. General anesthesia is necessary to ensure they do not experience pain or fear during the procedure, and to prevent injury. Anesthesia also allows veterinarians to perform a thorough oral examination and treatment safely and effectively.
Veterinarian Dr. Jia-Jing Zhong explains that senior dogs and cats can still undergo dental cleaning. The risk associated with anesthesia is not absolutely related to age but is more dependent on the pet's overall health condition. Before the procedure, a comprehensive health assessment is conducted, including blood tests, X-rays, and heart examinations, to confirm that the pet can tolerate anesthesia. During the procedure, veterinarians closely monitor the pet's vital signs to ensure safety.
Why Anesthesia Is Essential for Pet Dental Care
- Pets cannot cooperate like humans during dental procedures, so anesthesia keeps them still and pain-free.
- It allows a complete dental exam, including probing under the gums and taking dental X-rays, which reveal problems invisible to the naked eye.
- Cleaning under the gumline is crucial to treat periodontal disease, the most common dental problem in pets, and this cannot be done properly without anesthesia.
- Anesthesia protects pets from stress and pain, and protects veterinarians from injury caused by sudden movements.
Dental Care for Senior Pets
Age alone is not a contraindication for anesthesia and dental cleaning. Instead, the pet's overall health status determines the anesthetic risk. With modern anesthetic drugs and monitoring equipment, even older pets can safely undergo dental procedures. Pre-anesthetic evaluations help tailor an anesthetic plan specific to each pet's health needs.
Summary
General anesthesia is the standard and safest practice for dental cleaning in dogs and cats, including senior pets. It ensures thorough cleaning, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment while minimizing pain and risk. Proper preoperative health assessments and intraoperative monitoring further enhance safety during the procedure.
3. Should Baby Teeth Be Extracted if Not Fallen Out in Puppies and Kittens?
Veterinarian Dr. Zhong Jiajing explains that dogs and cats, like humans, have both deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. When the permanent teeth begin to emerge, if the baby teeth have not yet fallen out, it is necessary to schedule a surgery to extract the retained baby teeth as soon as possible.
This is because having two teeth side by side can crowd the space needed for the permanent teeth to grow properly. Such crowding may lead to malocclusion (misalignment of the bite) or create areas where bacteria and plaque accumulate more easily, increasing the risk of periodontal disease.
Early extraction of retained baby teeth allows the permanent teeth to move into their correct positions and helps prevent future dental problems. Delaying the removal can result in the adult teeth not aligning properly without orthodontic intervention, and may require additional treatments or specialist referral.
4. Do Dogs and Cats Need Correction for Malocclusion?
Dr. Chuang Chia-Ching, a veterinarian, explains that correction of malocclusion in dogs and cats is not performed for cosmetic reasons. Instead, intervention is necessary only when malocclusion causes pain, injury, or difficulty eating.
When Correction is Needed
Malocclusion, or misalignment of teeth, can lead to discomfort or functional problems. If a pet experiences pain, soft tissue injury, or trouble with feeding due to misaligned teeth, treatment should be considered.
Treatment Options
There are three main methods to improve malocclusion in dogs and cats:
- Orthodontic Movement: Using elastic bands or elastic balls to gradually move the displaced teeth into their correct positions.
- Crown Reduction: Shortening the misaligned teeth, which requires complementary vital pulp therapy or root canal treatment to preserve tooth vitality.
- Tooth Extraction: Removing the misaligned teeth entirely, especially when other treatments are not feasible or effective.
Summary
Correction of malocclusion in pets aims to alleviate pain and restore function rather than improve appearance. Veterinarians choose the most appropriate treatment based on the individual animal's condition, ensuring a comfortable and healthy bite.
5. Can Broken Teeth in Dogs and Cats Be Repaired?
Veterinarian Dr. Chuang Chia-Ching explains that broken teeth in dogs and cats usually occur from impacts during jumping or from biting hard objects. Most often, these fractures happen when the tooth breaks without damaging the dental pulp cavity.
If the pulp cavity is not exposed, the broken tooth can be repaired using resin bonding materials. This approach helps reduce the risk of bacterial infection penetrating through the dentin layer of the tooth, thereby preserving tooth function and comfort.
However, if the pulp cavity is exposed, bacteria can travel down the exposed pulp canal toward the tooth root, potentially causing pain or facial abscesses. In such cases, root canal therapy (also called endodontic treatment) is necessary. This procedure involves removing the diseased pulp tissue, disinfecting the canal, and filling it to prevent reinfection, which can save the tooth and avoid extraction.
For pets with chronic illnesses that make repeated anesthesia risky, extraction may be recommended as a definitive solution to prevent ongoing pain and infection.
In summary, minor fractures without pulp exposure can be treated with resin fillings, while fractures exposing the pulp require root canal treatment or, if not feasible, tooth extraction. Early veterinary evaluation and appropriate treatment are essential to ensure pain-free function and prevent complications.
