Dental problems: «Most chews are a waste of money»
22.9.2026
Translation: Natalie McKay
Why do so many pets suddenly need to see the dentist? Vet Angela Berchtold explains what’s going on, tells us what really helps and also shares some uncomfortable truths.
No way! When my colleague Luca tells me about his cats’ dental work, I get a sense of déjà vu. Lately, I keep hearing about pets that have to go in for dental cleaning or are having several teeth extracted at once. My cat Jasper also had to have three of his teeth removed recently.
Why are cases like this becoming so common? I’m exploring this question with Angela Berchtold]. She’s a vet at veterinary group VetTrust. I’m interviewing her fellow specialists for a Galaxus series on topics relating to animal health. Most recently, we looked at parasites:
Angela, I keep hearing about dental work on pets. When I was growing up, it wasn’t really a thing. Have the problems increased, or has this turned into a lucrative business?
Neither. Instead, awareness of dental problems and the options for diagnosis and treatment have improved. Huge progress has been made in veterinary medicine over the past ten years, particularly in the field of dental medicine.
So, does that mean dental problems have always existed, but many simply went unnoticed?
Yes, in a lot of cases. Obvious problems like heavy tartar buildup, inflamed gums or broken teeth were identified. But their impact on the animals’ health and well-being has long been underestimated. Plus, tooth resorption is diagnosed much more frequently today than it was in the past.
What causes tooth resorption? Some pet owners are becoming increasingly suspicious of processed pet food.
No, food only has a minor effect. Tooth resorption can have many possible causes. These include genetic factors – which primarily affect purebred animals – age, immunity, dental alignment and individual predispositions.
Is that the case for wild animals too? Why don’t they get ill from it?
They do. But feral cats have an average life expectancy of only about 2.5 years. They often don’t even reach the age at which serious dental diseases occur. Also, people often forget that dental problems can have serious consequences. If animals can no longer eat because of pain or are weakened by inflammation, it can be fatal.
How can you tell if your four-legged friend has tooth resorption?
It’s not easy. Sometimes there are superficial signs, such as inflammation of the gums or tissue growing over the tooth. But resorption usually begins at the root. This means, in most cases, it can only be detected through dental X-rays.
Source: VetTrust
Does the animal absolutely have to be put under general anesthetic for this?
Yes. It’s not possible to perform a thorough examination with a probe, take X-rays or provide professional dental cleaning on an animal that’s awake.
This also explains the high cost of dental treatment. How much do pet insurance policies cover?
They usually cover the cost of tooth extraction. However, they often don’t pay for professional teeth cleaning on its own, since it’s considered preventive care. I think that’s problematic.
Why’s that?
Because some pet owners avoid dental cleaning to save money and only take action when teeth need to be extracted. As a result, the pet suffers from pain for longer, and this leads to more expensive and riskier procedures in the long run.
Some dog grooming salons offer dental cleaning at a lower price. What’s your take on that?
We vets strongly advise against doing this.
Why?
These cleaning procedures are performed without anaesthetic. At first glance, that sounds tempting. But these treatments can only clean the surface of the teeth and don’t reach the spaces between the teeth or the inner surfaces of the teeth. They give pet owners a false sense of security.
As a layperson, how can I tell if my furry friend has a toothache?
It’s often not that simple. Many animals seem to continue eating as usual and are surprisingly good at hiding their pain. Warning signs, if they appear at all, are usually subtle – changes in eating habits, chewing on one side only, food falling out of the mouth, strong bad breath, red or bleeding gums, visible tartar or increased salivation. These symptoms should be examined by a vet.
Source: VetTrust
What can I do to prevent this?
Unfortunately, there’s still no known way to prevent tooth resorption. There’s only one effective way to fight plaque and tartar – brushing your four-legged friend’s teeth every day.
I’m not sure if my cat would let me do that.
If you start when they’re still puppies, it’s possible for almost every dog. With kittens, it’s more work, but not impossible. Especially not if you reinforce it positively through clicker training. I know of several cases where it worked even for stray animals or older pets.
Which toothbrush and toothpaste should I use?
There are special brushes designed to fit the size of the animal. Toothpaste isn’t absolutely necessary. In theory, water alone will do. But toothpaste can make it easier to brush pets’ teeth, since it usually smells and tastes like meat.
What should pet owners keep in mind when cleaning?
They shouldn’t apply pressure to the gums. We recommend a 45-degree angle with circular motions, similar to how they brush their own teeth. It’s essential to brush every day. This is because plaque, which later turns into tartar, begins to form after just 24 to 48 hours.
What do you think of finger toothbrushes?
A regular brush definitely works best. It allows you to adjust the angle to fit your pet’s teeth with the greatest flexibility. But finger toothbrushes are also an option. Depending on the pet owner and the pet, this method may work better than using a traditional toothbrush.
How effective are chews for promoting healthy teeth?
To put it a bit bluntly, I’d say that the vast majority of products that promise miracles are a waste of money. Some of them certainly look like they’d be helpful. But they never reach all of a pet’s teeth when they’re chewing. So they’re by no means a substitute for daily tooth brushing or professional dental care at the vet’s.
I’m still undecided. Should I really brush my cats’ teeth? Financially, it would be worth it. I’ve had to shell out a lot of money to have tartar removed from Jasper’s teeth. Maybe I should try again, this time with clicker training:
Have your furry friends ever had to have dental work done or teeth extracted? What do you think of it? Let me know in the comments.
Header image: NadyaTk/Shutterstock
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love everything with four legs or roots – especially my rescue cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. I’m happiest following the scent of stories about police dogs and cat groomers – or cultivating thoughtful tales in garden flea markets and Japanese gardens.
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