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Table of Contents
- What type of pet insurance covers dental problems?
- What’s covered by pet dental insurance?
- What’s not covered by pet dental insurance?
- What is the cost of pet dental cover?
- Types of pet dental illness
- Types of pet dental injury
- Cost of pet dental treatment
- Tips on keeping your pet’s teeth healthy
- Examples of dental cover
As with humans, good dental hygiene is essential for maintaining your pet’s health. Dogs and cats can be susceptible to periodontal disease and cavities, among other teeth and gum issues. If you ignore your pet’s oral care, it could lead to costly vet bills.
Some comprehensive pet insurance policies will cover dental illnesses and accidents. But not all policies do, so it’s important to compare policy benefits when you’re shopping around for cover to make sure you secure the protection you’re looking for.
What type of pet insurance covers dental problems?
If your pet insurance covers dental care and treatment, it will most likely have two categories: dental illness and dental injury.
In many cases, only the most comprehensive lifetime pet insurance policies, which tend to be the more expensive plans, will cover dental treatment.
Some lower cost policies exclude all dental-related pet claims, or only cover claims which arise due to an accident, for example, rather than illness or disease.
What’s covered by pet dental insurance?
If you have dental cover included in your pet insurance policy here are some of the types of treatment you might be covered for (always read the small print of your policy to check exactly what is included):
- Damaged teeth
- Gingivitis
- Gum disease
- Fractured teeth
- Periodontal disease
- Stomatitis
- Teeth removal
The insurer will typically require you to take your pet for annual dental health check ups, under their insurance terms and conditions. The cost of these routine checks won’t usually be covered under the plan.
What’s not covered by pet dental insurance?
Typically any pre-existing dental conditions or illnesses your pet has will not be covered when you take out insurance.
Read the policy wording carefully before signing up – and ask your insurer about dental cover if the policy details are not clear. Many insurance policies cover your pet for dental treatment as a result of accidents or injury – but not due to illnesses. If you want this cover be sure you have it included in the policy you are buying.
Cosmetic procedures, such as caps, fillings and implants, typically won’t be covered. And your routine pet dental check ups also won’t usually be covered.
What is the cost of pet dental cover?
How much pet insurance with dental cover will cost depends on a range of factors, including your pet’s age and breed, and also where you live in the country. This is because vets bills can vary from region to region.
Pet insurance that includes a high level of cover for dental treatment due to illness and injury is also likely to cost more than a standard policy that only covers dental injuries.
There will usually be an excess to pay – this is your contribution to the cost of the insurance claim (you’ll usually receive a claims payment from the insurer with the amount of the excess deducted – some insurers refer to the excess as the deductible).
Sometimes by increasing the voluntary excess you are willing to pay, you can bring the annual insurance premium down. But the amount you’ll receive if you make a claim will also reduce.
Types of pet dental illness
Pets can develop many of the same oral conditions as humans. Some common conditions include:
- Malocclusion This is the misalignment of teeth between the upper and lower dental arches. Any pet can suffer malocclusion, but it is more common in pure-breed dogs. Most cases of malocclusion are mild and usually don’t require treatment. Severe conditions may cause pain resulting from lip, gum or palate trauma. For more painful cases of malocclusion, your veterinarian might recommend extraction of the tooth (or teeth), moving a tooth or teeth through orthodontic means, or removing the tooth and part of the gum line in more severe cases.
- Feline tooth resorption syndrome (TR) TR was formerly referred to as feline odontoclastic resorption lesion or cervical line lesion. TR is a disease that causes erosion to a cat’s teeth (or tooth). Most pet owners will have difficulty detecting TR. Some signs to look for include messier-than-usual eating, tilting of the head while eating and regurgitation of food shortly after a meal.Treatments include tooth extraction and crown reduction if the root is reabsorbed. Anesthesia and pain relieving medications are required for these procedures.
- Dental Epulis. Dental epulises are growths or tumors that appear in your pet’s mouth. While most tumors are benign, treatment depends on the type, size and location of the growth. Surgery is typically required to remove the epulis, though radiation may be an option if the tumor is small. A dental epulis can appear as a smooth and shiny or bumpy and ulcerated growth in your pet’s mouth. X-rays may be necessary to see the extent of tissue damage, and a biopsy may be taken to determine the full diagnosis.
- Periodontal disease. Also known as periodontitis, periodontal disease is the most prevalent disease in pets. It is often attributed to poor dental hygiene but can occur regardless of hygiene for most pets. Periodontal disease is a gradual process in which the structures that surround the teeth become inflamed, including the bone, cementum, gums and periodontal ligament. The first indication of periodontal disease is gingivitis, which is usually the only phase that is 100% curable.
The four stages of periodontal disease are:
- Stage one (gingivitis). This is the only curable stage of the disease and is detected by red, puffy gums.
- Stage two (early disease). Less than 25% loss of attachment to tooth roots.
- Stage three (moderate disease). Some exposure of tooth roots and 25% to 50% of attachment loss. The space between the roots will become visible at this stage.
- Stage four (severe disease). More than 50% loss of attachment to roots. The space between the roots is highly visible.
Some common signs of periodontal disease include:
- Bleeding gums
- Blood, kidney, liver or heart valve infections
- Excessive salivation
- Mouth irritation
- Puffy and/or red gums
- Reduced food consumptions and messy eating
- Wound under the eye for pets with a tooth abscess in the upper molars or premolars
Since periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that slowly progresses, treatment will depend on how advanced the disease is. Treatments may include routine tartar and film removal, root planing, antibiotic gels, surgical extraction and antibiotics if the disease spreads to the bloodstream.
Types of pet dental injury
Dental fractures are common for dogs and cats. The teeth most often affected by dogs are the upper canine teeth (their fangs) and the two largest molars on their upper jaw. The teeth most affected by cats are the canine teeth.
Cats also may suffer from complicated fractures as a result of “feline tooth resorption,” which is when a cat develops large cavities at the gumline and predisposes teeth to fractures.
Dental accidents usually fall into two categories: complicated and uncomplicated dental fractures. In addition, the severity of the incident and location usually determines the type of treatment necessary – and the cost.
Some uncomplicated dental fractures won’t actually require any treatment. For example, an enamel infraction will not progress and does not require treatment. Similarly, an older pet may not need treatment for an uncomplicated crown fracture or cracked enamel.
If treatment is necessary, it can range from smoothing out the edges of a fracture, crown restoration or the removal of the unattached gum. X-rays may be required and this is when the cost of your claim will rise.
Cost of pet dental treatment
The cost of dental treatment for your pet depends on the type of accident or illness, the severity of the issue and your location (vet bills vary in different parts of the country).
But if the treatment ends up being extensive, or your pet needs x-rays, for example, the cost can run into hundreds and even thousands of pounds. This is why comprehensive pet insurance is so important.
Tips on keeping your pet’s teeth healthy
The best way to stop your pet developing dental problems is to keep their teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible throughout their life. Annual vet check ups – including their mouth and teeth – are also important.
Some other tips include:
- Brush your pet’s teeth regularly. Use a toothpaste specifically designed for dogs. Human toothpaste can cause negative side effects like an upset stomach.
- Use enzymes, sprays or dental chews. Vet-recommended chews can sometimes help with dental disease. Some toys also provide mechanical cleaning of the teeth.
- Look out for signs of dental disease. Look for signs that may point to dental health problems, such as bleeding gums or difficulties eating. If you have concerns see your vet as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and help can often mitigate further issues.
- Book regular dental check ups for your pet. Regular dental cleaning can protect your pet’s mouth from injury and disease. Most dogs need oral exams and cleaning annually, but certain breeds such as Bulldogs, Dachshunds and Yorkshire Terriers, for example, are prone to dental disease and may require dental cleanings every six months.
Examples of dental cover
Here are some of the pet insurance companies that can cover both dental accidents and dental illnesses. Be aware that dental treatment due to illnesses is typically often only covered in the top tier level of insurance cover for many of these providers:
Animal Friends – some Lifetime policies within the insurers range will cover dental illnesses and accidents. Other policies will cover accidents but not dental and gum illness.
Petplan – covers against dental illness and injuries as standard.
More Than – offers different levels of dental cover depending on the tier of insurance policy you buy, but it is possible to get dental cover for accidents and illness.
Many Pets – covers treatment needed as a result of an accident and illnesses, and it’s top level of cover includes dental illnesses as well.
Healthy Pets – dentistry is covered if it is required as a result of an accident or injury.
Waggel – policy documents say the insurer covers up to £1,000 per year for dental treatment provided a dental examination was carried out by a vet in the previous 12 months before the first clinical signs of the injury or illness.
