When we think about dental health in animals, the most common association is with bad breath or tartar. But the reality is that veterinary dentistry goes far beyond that. It is a specialized medical discipline that requires training, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatments.
We are used to hearing many comments that, while understandable, don’t always reflect reality. That’s why today we want to debunk some of the most frequent myths we hear and explain why early diagnosis is key to the health of our animals.
MYTH 1: “Dental cleanings are only necessary when there’s a lot of tartar”
This is one of the most common mistakes. Believing that we should only act when there is a severe accumulation of tartar means waiting too long, which worsens the prognosis and may require more invasive treatments.
In veterinary dentistry, as in any other medical specialty, everything starts with a diagnosis. We don’t treat blindly. That’s why we follow the COHAT protocol (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment), a full evaluation that includes clinical examination and dental radiographs before starting treatment. Thanks to this assessment, we can detect diseases at early stages and act before the damage becomes greater.
As in any medical specialty: first we diagnose, then we treat. We should never act blindly.
MYTH 2: “If they eat, it means they’re not in pain”
This is an understandable but very dangerous belief.
Many animals continue to eat despite being in pain. Oral pain can be chronic and silent, and it doesn’t always show obvious symptoms. Some signs of oral pain include:
⚠️ Eating does not mean everything is fine. Animals often compensate for pain and continue their routines… until they can’t anymore. Learning to recognize subtle signs is essential to detect oral problems in time.
MYTH 3: “A broken tooth is not a big deal”
Yes, it is. Every dental fracture must be evaluated. There are two types:
Both carry risks, but complicated fractures are especially serious because the pulp canal contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. Once exposed, it can lead to acute pain, necrosis, abscesses, infections, or fistulas.
That’s why it is essential to evaluate every fracture with an examination and radiographs, and decide whether to perform a root canal or extraction.
MYTH 4: “Antibiotics should always be given before and after dental treatments”
This is a very widespread misconception. In healthy animals, it is not necessary to administer antibiotics before or after a dental cleaning or treatment.
The bacteremia (bacteria entering the bloodstream) that may occur during these procedures is temporary, and the animal’s immune system resolves it on its own.
Unnecessary use of antibiotics contributes to bacterial resistance, which is an increasingly serious problem in medicine. Antibiotics should only be used in specific cases, such as animals with severe heart disease or immunosuppression.
In all other cases, what really matters is proper diagnosis and local treatment — without overusing antimicrobials.
MYTH 5: “Tooth discoloration doesn’t matter”
A tooth that changes color is not just a cosmetic issue — it can be a sign of serious disease.
Some examples:
These myths are just a few examples of how we sometimes underestimate the importance of oral health in our animals. Veterinary dentistry is not just about tartar or bad breath; it addresses diseases that can deeply affect their wellbeing.
Let’s remember: our animals cannot tell us they are in pain, but we can learn to recognize it and act in time.
At IVeM, we encourage you to schedule regular oral check-ups, pay attention to small changes, and consult your veterinarian if you have any doubts. Prevention and early diagnosis make all the difference.
