👉 Before you dive into the article, be sure to familiarize yourself with the terms and verbiage used regularly when talking about pet insurance in our pet insurance glossary.
When considering veterinary costs for our pets, we usually think of routine checkups, vaccinations, and emergencies. But, taking care of your pet’s teeth is just as important. Dental disease — also known as periodontal or gum disease — is one of the most common illnesses in dogs and cats. It can also be expensive without the right pet insurance plan, so it helps to be prepared.
Unlike human health care, pet dental insurance usually isn’t sold separately. It’s often included as a feature within traditional pet insurance plans. In these cases, owners pay a monthly fee toward their annual premium. They are then reimbursed for a certain percentage of out-of-pocket vet costs once they’ve met their deductible.
Not all pet insurance plans cover the cost of dental treatments, nor are all treatments covered. So, it’s important to carefully compare the details of each policy to ensure you find the right solution.
Most pet dental plans cover procedures for dental injuries. These include broken, chipped, and fractured teeth, tooth extractions, root canals and crowns, gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis, and stomatitis.
Routine teeth cleanings don’t typically qualify for coverage under traditional insurance plans. This is due to it being considered preventative care. However, many insurance providers offer supplemental wellness plans that can reimburse you for cat or dog dental cleaning costs.
While pet dental insurance isn’t a typical offering, you can look for pet insurance plans that cover dental care via comprehensive and routine/preventative care coverage.
Comprehensive plans cover dental accidents and illnesses, minus any particular exclusions outlined in the plan. Note that for dental coverage to apply, your pet may need to meet certain qualifications before enrollment, and also keep up with regular teeth cleanings.
Routine and preventive care plans provide coverage for dental cleanings and checkups to help prevent disease and catch issues early. These are usually less common than comprehensive plans.
Several trustworthy pet insurance companies offer solid dental coverage options. Make sure to compare the cost and coverage of each one to determine which one’s best for your pet.
Dental emergencies are all too common in pets. About 80% of dogs and 70% of cats (Trusted Source) show signs of oral disease by the time they’re three years old. If your pet doesn’t have good oral hygiene, they can develop bad breath, tooth infection, tooth loss, and even malnutrition.
Many owners choose to defer the cost of routine dental cleanings and allow problems like these to get worse over time. This often ends up in more expensive treatments down the road. Since some dental treatments cost well over $1,000, it’s a good idea to consider getting dental coverage now as part of your pet insurance plan.
It’s impossible to prevent your pet from ever having a dental emergency. But, there are some easy ways you can help them maintain good dental health.
Depending on your pet’s dental health, your vet may recommend a professional dental cleaning anywhere from once every six months to once every two years.
Dog water additives go into your pet’s water bowl and work like mouthwash to clean their breath and reduce tartar buildup.
Rawhide and dental chews help promote good dental health in pets and are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. (Trusted Source)
Like with humans, daily tooth brushing is beneficial to both dogs and cats. It might take a little getting used to at first, but it goes a long way towards keeping periodontal disease at bay.
🚨 Never, ever use human toothpaste when brushing your pet’s teeth.
According to most veterinarians, your dog should have their teeth cleaned about once a year.
Some vets specialize in dentistry more than others. But in general, all veterinarians receive training in dentistry and can treat basic conditions.
Coverage offered by each pet insurance plan differs. Most plans cover unexpected injuries, accidents, and illnesses. Some also cover surgery, medication, tests, diagnostics, emergency care, and exam fees.
