Dental cleaning is not just brushing the teeth, but it also includes all the essential steps to maintain your pet’s oral health. A responsible pet owner will ask for professional help through the veterinary’s Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment or COHAT. This program helps prevent dental diseases and treat injuries.
However, not all pet insurance products cover dental cleaning. The costs of bodily illnesses and injuries are not the same as dental treatment. Therefore, it’s important to consider dental coverage when choosing an insurance plan for your beloved pet. So, how do you find the best pet insurance that covers dental cleaning?
Importance of Oral Examination and COHAT
Periodontal disease, fractured teeth, oral tumor, and other dental injuries are not only painful, but they also affect your pet’s overall well-being. Unfortunately, these conditions are common and often overlooked. Dental cleaning and oral exams are essential in keeping your pet healthy and happy.
The challenging part of maintaining your pet’s oral health is that symptoms are not usually obvious. With regular dental exams, it’s easier to determine potential problems that can develop into more severe conditions. The following are some common signs your pet may have an oral disease:
- Abnormal behavior
- Abnormal drooling, dropping food, or chewing
- Extra teeth including retained baby teeth
- Loose or broken tooth
- Dental tartar
- Bad breath
If you observed some of these symptoms, make sure to get your pet checked by a local vet. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further damage while reducing dental costs. The good news is that you can avoid expensive dental treatment with reliable pet insurance with dental coverage.
Once a problem has been identified, the vet dentist will recommend COHAT with general anesthesia. The program includes the following:
- Polish to smoothen out tooth surface and prevent buildup.
- Scale below the gums to eliminate tartar and plaque.
- Dental radiographs such as X-rays.
- Comprehensive dental charting and visual examination.
Finding a Pet Insurance that Covers Teeth Cleaning
If you’re looking for an insurance policy for your pet that offers dental coverage, it’s essential to carefully review the terms and conditions. Some policies provide dental care, but not teeth cleaning. So be sure to check the coverage details before you sign up.
Other pet insurance companies only offer limited dental cover, excluding coverage for oral diseases or injuries. You need to evaluate the policy and make sure it covers dental cleaning and treatment that your pet may need in the future. Don’t invest in a policy that requires buying an add-on or ride to get your pet’s teeth insured from both injuries and diseases.
Here are some of the essential dental services that your pet insurance must cover:
- Oral tumors and growths
- Tooth abscesses
- Fractured teeth
- Periodontal diseases
- Advanced dental treatment
Most insurance policies don’t include dental cleaning and they also don’t cover pre-existing conditions. Therefore, you should consult your vet for preventative methods to avoid dental diseases through home care, teeth cleaning, and oral exams.
1 thought on “Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Cleaning”