Does Trupanion have dental insurance for pets?

When it comes to keeping our pets healthy, pet parents often overlook the importance of oral hygiene. According to the American Veterinary Dental College, it’s estimated that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show symptoms of dental or periodontal disease by three years of age. Because our dogs and cats have paws instead of hands, they use their mouths to pick things up, examine objects, and help them navigate the world around them. This means they are prone to exposure to bacteria that affects their oral health. Good oral hygiene and dental health are crucial to our pets’ everyday lives, and having pet insurance that offers dental coverage means never worrying about taking care of your pet’s teeth.

Fortunately, Trupanion coverage includes treatment for all new dental illnesses and injuries if your pet has an annual dental exam and you follow your veterinarian’s recommended dental care. Cat and dog dental insurance is key to your pet’s longevity.

A happy mouth means a happy pet

Most pets show signs of tooth and gum disease by age three, but many pet insurance companies don't provide dental coverage. Why? Because veterinary dental treatment is expensive! Thankfully, we're not like those other guys.

What is pet dental disease?

Even though pets don’t often get cavities, they are susceptible to periodontal or gum disease, which is the number one illness found in both dogs and cats. That’s why it’s so important that pet lovers include dental hygiene in their animals’ health and wellness routine.

Dental or periodontal disease affects the teeth, gums, and the support structures that surround your pet’s teeth. It begins with a simple plaque buildup on the tooth enamel which contains bacteria and food particles.

If the plaque is not addressed, it remains on the tooth surface and eventually hardens into tartar. When tartar is left untreated, it causes inflammation and not only damages the structures supporting the teeth but also causes infection. If dental disease reaches this stage, pets can experience severe dental problems and pain.

Why are annual dental exams required for pets?

Just as you brush your teeth every day and see your dentist annually to prevent and identify any issues, good dental care is important for your pet’s health too. If anything, regular dental exams and cleanings are actually more important for dogs and cats because they’re not able to pick up a toothbrush or floss their teeth like humans can.

Now, if you weren’t doing anything to take care of your oral health, getting an eventual cavity or experiencing other tooth and gum issues probably wouldn’t come as a surprise. Likewise, avoiding routine pet dental care can lead to problems that could have otherwise been prevented.

How poor dental care can affect your pet’s overall health

Bad breath or halitosis: If the odor of your pet’s breath makes you recoil, it’s time to seek good dental care.
Tooth loss: If structures supporting your pet’s teeth become infected, the teeth fall out.
Oral pain: Severe dental disease can be very painful for cats and dogs.
Organ damage: Bacteria in the plaque can enter the bloodstream and spread to the heart, kidneys, and liver. This spread, called bacteremia, can damage organs and make your animal sick.

Factors associated with dental disease

Age: Dental disease is more common in older pets, but evidence can appear as soon as three years of age.
Breed: Persians and other flat-faced cats and smaller dog breeds are more likely to have over-crowded or misaligned teeth that are difficult to keep clean, making them more prone to disease.
Food/Diet: Some foods can increase your cat’s risk of dental disease, so ask your veterinarian for a nutritional recommendation.

Signs of dental disease in your pet

Even if your pet isn’t outwardly showing signs of oral health issues, it’s worth asking your veterinarians during a regular health exam to help prevent future problems. Symptoms of oral health problems include:

• Bad breath
• Yellow or brown crust on tooth surface
• Bleeding gums
• Change in chewing habits
• Tooth loss
• Drooling

Since dental problems often develop gradually, it’s easy to miss the signs until there is a bad infection. That’s why it’s critical to schedule a regular annual dental check-up with your pet’s veterinarian. If you observe any of these conditions, please make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

3 ways to promote better pet dental health

Although ‘perfect’ oral hygiene can be elusive, there are ways to be proactive and help stave off the possibility of pet dental disease. Investing in preventative oral hygiene is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy.

Veterinarian provided dental cleanings

These cleanings require general anesthesia to allow your veterinarians to clean above and below the gumline and ensures that your pet’s entire mouth is addressed. A professional dental cleaning is the best way to improve and maintain your pet’s oral hygiene.

Diet/prescription pet food

It’s always a good idea to discuss nutrition with your veterinarians for many reasons, dental health included.

Healthy pet oral hygiene habits

A preventative measure pet owners can take is to brush your pet’s teeth. This is done to prevent plaque from mineralizing into tartar. Getting your pet comfortable with brushing can take time and patience, so make sure you reward your furry family member for their cooperation!

Do other companies offer dental insurance for pets?

Though most pets show signs of tooth and gum disease by age three, many pet insurance companies still don't provide dental coverage. Here at Trupanion, we recognize that having pet insurance that covers dental is essential to a happy and healthy pet.

How our dental coverage compares

	Embrace	AKC Pet Insurance	Healthy Paws
Coverage for all new, unexpected dental conditions without payout limits	Dental illnesses only covered up to $1,000 per policy year	Accident and Illness coverage only reimburses for extractions of broken permanent teeth due to accidents.	No illness coverage — only covers tooth extraction and/or reconstruction of damaged teeth if the teeth were injured by an accident.

Does Trupanion cover pre-existing dental conditions?

Like most other pet insurance providers, we do not cover pre-existing conditions with dental disease. To reduce the likelihood of pre-existing conditions, it helps to sign up your pet for Trupanion coverage as early as possible.