Ever wonder what your veterinarian means when they mention your pet’s dental grade? What is a dental grade? Is dental grade 4 a good or bad thing? My vet said my dog is a grade 1 does that mean he needs a dental cleaning? Not understanding your pets’ needs can be stressful. We are here to help make sense of your pets dental grade so that you can have some peace of mind.
We asked our team at Ralston Vet to explain dental grading to help you better understand your veterinarians’ recommendations. You might hear people use different names for this system such as Dental Score, Dental Disease Grading, Periodontal Disease Stages, or Dental Index. It is all the same thing, just depends on personal preference.
What is Dental Grading?
Dental grading is a system used to determine the health of a pet’s teeth through a physical exam. It assesses tartar buildup, gingivitis, and loose teeth. The scale ranges from Grade 0 to Grade 4, with Grade 0 representing optimal dental health and Grade 4 indicating severe dental disease.
Dental Grades are defined as:
Dental Grade 0:
- Mild or minimal plaque
- No tartar buildup
- No gingivitis
- No bleeding when gums are probed
Dental Grade 1:
- Moderate plaque
- Mild or minimal tartar buildup
- Mild gingivitis
- Possible bleeding when gums are probed
Dental Grade 2:
- Severe plaque
- Moderate tartar buildup
- Moderate Gingivitis
- Gums will bleed when probed
- May need teeth extracted
Dental Grade 3:
- Severe plaque
- Severe tartar buildup
- Advanced Gingivitis
- Gums will bleed when probed
- Will likely need teeth extracted
Dental Grade 4:
- Severe plaque
- Severe tartar buildup
- Severe Gingivitis
- Gums will bleed when probed
- Will likely have multiple teeth extracted
While we often wish that tooth brushing, dental chews, or other supplements could help reverse a pet’s dental disease stage, it is unfortunately not possible to lower their dental grade without a professional dental cleaning.
When should I start getting dental cleaning for my pet? How often should I take my pet to get dental cleaning?
Once a pet reaches stage 1 or 2 dental disease, we recommend discussing a professional dental cleaning to stay ahead of further issues and reduce the likelihood of your pet needing teeth extracted.
Much like humans visit the dentist every six months, regular dental care is essential for pets. However, because pets require anesthesia for a full cleaning, most veterinarians do not recommend cleanings quite that frequently. We suggest a schedule that best fits what your family can manage, though ideally, a cleaning every one to two years is recommended.
What can I do at home to keep my pets teeth healthy?
Ideally, the best option for your pet’s oral health is brushing their teeth daily or every other day. Plaque begins to harden within two to three days, so waiting longer between brushings significantly reduces its effectiveness.
If your pet refuses to let you brush their teeth, please know that many pet families face this same challenge, and other effective options are available: A popular option are dental chews, there are many different brands that can be purchased, just make sure that they have VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) on the packaging. There are also water additives and dental flakes that you could use post dental cleaning.
We know how stressful it can be when you don’t fully understand what is happening with your pet. Ensuring your pet’s health is our top priority and that starts with helping you understand what is going on with them.
If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to email us at [email protected] or call/text us at 402-331-6322.
