Pet Insurance For Dental Care

Dental health is important to your fur baby’s overall health. When their teeth and gums become infected, it can cause other health issues. That’s why professional dental cleanings are a necessary part of your pet’s overall care. But dental cleanings can cost quite a bit, so more pet parents are looking into pet insurance for dental care.

Let’s chew on this topic a bit more!

Is it Time to See the Dentist?

We typically think that cat and dog breath is supposed to be very stinky, but that’s not the case. Sure, their breath may not smell minty fresh and a bit like their food, but foul bad breath that makes you crinkle your nose is a definite sign of infection.

Here are some other signs your pup or kitty needs to be brought in for a dental checkup:

• Broken or loose teeth
• Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
• Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• Pain in or around the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

Oftentimes when your pet has dental problems, they are in a lot of pain and their behavior will change. Any changes require a trip to the vet PRONTO. 

Also, if you think your pet has something not-so-great going on in their mouth, please don’t try and look it over. Animals with pain tend to snap and even bite their humans, so leave the dental exam to the professionals.

What Does Pet Dental Insurance Cover?

What kind of dental coverage you will receive depends on the kind of plan you opt for. If you choose a complete Accident & Illness plan, you will be covered for a wide range of dental illnesses and treatments, including:

• Gingivitis
• Stomatitis
• Periodontal disease
• Tooth abscesses
• Cancerous oral growths and tumors
• Tooth extractions
• X-rays
• Scans
• Treatments
• Prescription medicine

An Accident-Only plan will only cover only those dental issues that are a result of injuries. 

What’s Not Covered Under Pet Dental Insurance?

Generally speaking, most pet insurance plans will not cover cosmetic, endodontic, or orthodontic services such as caps, implants, and filings. They will also not cover pre-existing conditions that occurred before enrollment. So for instance, if your pup cracked a tooth while chewing on your neighbor’s deck before you enrolled in a policy, and then three months later that tooth becomes infected, that would be considered pre-existing. 

Does Pet Insurance Cover Routine Dental Care and Cleanings?

Dental cleanings would fall under the umbrella of “preventative care.” Many pet insurance providers now offer wellness plans as add-ons to your Accident & Illness coverage. In addition to dental cleanings, wellness coverage will usually help pay the costs for things like vaccinations, microchipping, spaying and neutering and more.

Does Pet Dental Insurance Have Any Waiting Periods?

Yes, all pet insurance providers require a waiting period before coverage kicks in. Most companies have separate waiting times for accidents and illnesses. For example, a company may have a 3-day waiting period for dental accidents – such as a broken or chipped tooth – and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses – such as periodontal disease.

Is Pet Dental Insurance Worth It?

Except for dental cleanings, which would fall under wellness or preventative coverage, dental insurance is really pet insurance. To answer whether or not enrolling your fur baby into an accident & illness or accident-only plan makes sense, you’ll need to take a realistic look at your finances. 

How would an unexpected veterinary bill in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars impact your personal finances versus the monthly/yearly cost of a pet insurance policy. Consider that according to MarketWatch, the average price for dog insurance a month is $64. That’s $768 a year. 

Now consider that a tooth extraction can cost anywhere between $500 and $2500, according to MetLife insurance. And when you consider that your pet insurance will cover the cost of far more than just dental injuries and disease, pet insurance makes a lot of sense for pet parents who don’t have thousands of dollars saved up for vet emergencies.

Which Company Offers the Best Dental Care Insurance?

Now that you see the value of pet insurance for ensuring your fur baby’s oral health, you may be wondering which company to go with. Unlike a lot of pet insurance resources who rank providers based on their own opinion or by compensation to rank certain providers higher, we use 100% authentic reviews from real pet parents like you to rank the top pet insurance providers in the marketplace.

Here are the top pet insurance providers – in order – based on over 150,000 authentic reviews from pet parents just like you:

 

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024

Rating	Provider	Total Review
4.9	Embrace	16,675
4.9	Healthy Paws	9,976
4.9	Trupanion	67,964
4.9	Fetch	11,124
4.9	Lemonade	805
4.8	Nationwide	21,404
4.8	Prudent Pet	125
4.7	Hartville	164
4.6	ManyPets	2,335
4.6	Pumpkin	1,425
4.6	Spot	6,848
4.5	ASPCA	11,714
4.5	PetPartners	112
4.4	AKC	891
4.3	Pet Assure	12
4.3	Pets Best	12,058
4.2	Figo	2,598
4.0	MetLife	626

 

References:

1. https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/pet-insurance/pet-insurance-cost
2. https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-planning/dog-tooth-extraction-cost/

 

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.