Mouthing Off

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, but is there a set of pearly whites hiding behind your pet’s smile or rapidly advancing periodontal disease? Take our quick quiz to determine whether you need to brush up on what’s really going on inside your best friend’s mouth.

True or False:
You should be paying more attention to your pet’s dental health.*
(*The answer is true!)

TEST

1. Dogs have 42 permanent teeth.

true or false

2. Symptoms of periodontal disease in pets include yellow and brown tartar buildup along the gum line, red and inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.

true or false

3. Studies show that by middle age, 80 percent of dogs exhibit signs of gum disease.

true or false

4. Large-breed dogs are more likely to develop periodontal disease than small ones.

true or false

5. The cause of gum disease in cats and dogs is the same as in people.

true or false

6. It is OK to use human-grade toothpaste to brush your cat or dog’s teeth.

true or false

7. Cavities are the most common problem associated with feline oral care.

true or false

8. Dogs are susceptible to breaking their teeth.

true or false

9. Only an experienced vet should attempt to clean an animal’s teeth.

true or false

10. Depression is a habitual indicator of oral disease.

true or false

Scorecard

8–10 correct - Congratulations! You are a dental expert. Your pets probably have the cleanest teeth in the neighborhood.

4–7 correct - You need to bone up on your pet dental-health savvy. Schedule an appointment with your vet today.

1–3 correct - Egads! Not only should you take your pet to the vet immediately, but you may want to consider a trip to your own dentist.

Answer Key

1. True. At about four months of age, dogs will emerge with a set of adult teeth that includes 20 on top and 22 on the bottom.

2. True. If your companion animal is exhibiting any of those symptoms, you should schedule a checkup with your veterinarian.

3. False. Studies confirm that as early as age three, 80 percent of dogs exhibit signs of gum disease. Seventy percent of cats will also show signs of gum disease by age three.

4. False. Small-breed dogs are more likely to develop periodontal disease than their large-breed counterparts because the teeth of small dogs are often too large for their size.

5. True. Gum disease is an infection resulting from buildup of soft dental plaque on the surfaces of the teeth around the gums. The bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue if plaque is allowed to accumulate, which often leads to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth.

6. False. Human-quality toothpaste can upset your pet’s stomach. Ask your veterinarian about toothpaste that is specially formulated for your canine or feline friend.

7. False. Odontoclastic resorptive lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats. About 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime. Purebred cats may be more susceptible.

8. True. Aggressive chewing on hard objects may cause canines to crack, splinter, or break their teeth.

9. False. In addition to regularly scheduled checkups, people with pets are encouraged to practice a regular dental-care regimen at home. There are also specially formulated foods and treats available that help prevent the buildup of tartar.

10. True. If your pet is lethargic or depressed, he could be having oral trouble. Other ways your pet might be trying to tell you he is having trouble include a change in chewing or eating habits or pawing at the face.


*Sources: PetEducation.com, PetDental.com, VOHC.org, Wikipedia.org