About Pet Dental Insurance

Many pet owners underestimate the importance of dental health in their pets. Estimates show that up to 80 percent of all pets develop dental disease in the first three years of life. Often owners cannot afford routine oral health care and neglected dental care results in poor oral health for pets.  Pet dental insurance can help counteract the high costs dental health incurs.

Dental Health and Your Pet

Aside from the obvious results due to poor dental health and hygiene, such as bad breath and tooth-loss, poor oral health can lead to other more serious conditions.

There is a proven link between the over-production of bacteria in the mouth resulting from poor dental health and heart and kidney disease. This bacterium, known as streptococcus bacteria, migrates into the kidneys and valves of the heart.

How to Attain Pet Dental Insurance

Pet dental insurance plans along with pet medical insurance gained in popularity over the last decade due to advances in technology in the veterinary care field. This led to more advanced diagnosis and treatment of diseases which affect pets.

Often you can find medical pet insurance with dental care riders. If you already carry a medical insurance policy on your pet, check with your company to see if they offer pet dental insurance plans.

Without this option, you can obtain a stand-alone pet dental health policy from several companies.

Rates for policies will vary depending on the type of coverage and the overall health condition of your pet.

Coverage Included in Dental Plans

Typically, pet dental coverage extends to restorative care and major treatments. These treatments normally include care resulting from accidents or other unexpected damage to the teeth of mouth.

Less common plans cover routine oral care such as cleanings, extractions or other maintenance your veterinarian routinely does as part of a dental hygiene program.  These plans do exist; however, you may have to do some in-depth research to find companies that offer this option.