Dental care for our pets isn’t usually something we think about much, but we should. Both cats and dogs can have periodontal disease, and cats can also get a kind of cavity. These cavities start at the gum line, and then eat away the interior of the tooth. Seventy percent of all cats have some form of periodontal disease by the age of three, and 75 percent of all dogs have a problem by the age of four. Your pet may also crack or break a tooth, which can cause problems.

Dental problems aren’t just about loosing a tooth, or having bad breath. Although dogs are not as susceptible to tooth decay as humans, they do develop plaque, which, if not removed, hardens to tartar. Tartar, in turn, can cause abscesses and the bacteria from those abscesses can circulate in the system and lead to pneumonia or heart, liver, or kidney problems.

Dry, crunchy food can help, but cats do better on wet foods, and most dogs swallow their food, with very little chewing.

The good news is that dogs enjoy chewing and will frequently chew things that can help with dental health. Dog biscuits are good, as are nylon bones. The nylon bones get rough ends as they are chewed and these act like a toothbrush.

Rawhide can also be good, but rawhide requires more supervision. Some dogs are fine with rawhide, but others tend to chew off large chunks and swallow them, and these swallowed chunks can cause intestinal blockage or stomach upset. Bulldogs should never be given rawhide as they have a tendency to swallow as they chew, pulling long strips into their mouths and swallowing as they go.

The rawhide form least likely to cause problems is the pressed rawhide bone, made up of tiny shavings of rawhide molded into a bone shape. This eliminates the worry of the dog biting off and swallowing large, indigestible chunks.

Real bones are excellent for dental health, but definitely require supervision. Bones can splinter, or may have sharp points that can harm your dog. Swallowing bone shards can lead to serious problems if those pieces should pierce the intestines. Even with smooth bones, if your dog is an aggressive chewer, he can end up with a large mass of indigestible bone in his stomach, which can lead to vomiting, or even a blockage in the intestine.

Never, ever give your dog a cooked bone. Give only raw bones, and remember, after a few days in the open air, even a raw bone will act like a cooked bone, and be more apt to shatter.

Besides providing appropriate chew toys for your dog, you can also help with his dental health by brushing his teeth regularly. There are special brushes for brushing your dog’s teeth, as well as smaller plastic “brushes” that fit over your finger. Or, you can wrap a piece of gauze around your finger and use that to go over the dog’s teeth and gently rub the gums. Most veterinarians and pet supply stores also have special pastes for brushing your dog’s teeth. These pastes come in flavors like chicken or liver. If you use a paste, make sure it is a paste made especially for dogs; never use human toothpaste on your dog.

There may come a time when your veterinarian recommends a professional cleaning for your dog’s teeth. This entails anesthetizing your dog. The veterinarian or technician then removes any tartar buildup and cleans and polishes your dog’s teeth, much like your dentist cleans your own teeth. If any cracked or broken teeth are found, they will be removed at the same time. If there are any abscesses, or if there is infection anywhere in the gum, your dog will probably be put on an antibiotic. If your dog is older, the veterinarian may also recommend blood tests before the cleaning to make sure the dog can safely handle the anesthesia. This safe guard is well worth it, and, with older dogs, may help your veterinarian detect other health problems as well.

If your dog’s breath smells more than normal “dog breath” or if he is drooling, or pawing at his mouth, or is having trouble eating hard food, and no longer wants to chew on toys or bones, make an appointment with your veterinarian. The same goes for your cat … bad breath or drooling can mean dental problems. Don’t neglect your pet’s teeth. They may be small, but they can cause big problems.