Our pets need dental cleanings
and check-ups too!
Did you know that dental disease is the most
commonly recognized abnormality on a physical exam of a dog or a cat? Because
as owners we do not regularly brush our dog or cat's teeth, plaque, which is a
film of bacteria, builds up on teeth surfaces. This plaque eventually turns to
tartar (yellow/brown layering), and then tartar hardens to calculus, a very hard
concrete-like layering that is composed of bacteria. If allowed to remain on
the tooth surface, tartar and calculus eventually erode the overlying gums and,
in severe cases, erosion of the tooth roots and bone surrounding tooth roots
occurs (called periodontal disease), resulting in a diseased tooth in need of
extraction. What can you do to prevent plaque buildup and ensure that any
tartar and calculus already present do not progress to severe periodontal
disease? Proper home care such as brushing and feeding an oral health diet or
treats (Hill's t/d) helps slow plaque buildup, and yearly dental cleanings help
remove heavy buildup so periodontal disease is avoided.
Tooth
Disease-A debilitating and painful condition
Diseases of the mouth
and teeth, specifically gingivitis and periodontal disease, can cause
significant pain when eating, and can cause dramatic behavior changes in our
furry companions. Some signs of mouth and tooth disease to be aware of are
listed below. Any one or a combination of these signs may mean your pet has
progressing or severe oral or dental disease.
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Reduced/absent appetite with potential
secondary weight loss
- Preference for soft food or table scraps over
normal hard food
- Chewing on one side of mouth or slow,
deliberate chewing; possible dropping of food
- Reduction in grooming behavior (mostly cats)
- Pawing at mouth/face
- Excessive slobbering/salivation
- More sneezing than normal
- Nasal discharge
- Acting head shy (not allowing petting of head,
possible aggression when head touched)
The Veterinarian and Dental Disease
Despite
our best efforts at home dental care (brushing, diet, treats), most of our dog
and cat patients will have significant buildup of tartar and calculus by the
time they are 4-5 years of age. The removal of this buildup is necessary to
prevent progression of dental disease. Your veterinarian, with the assistance
of registered veterinary technicians, can perform a professional dental cleaning
and polishing to get those teeth back to their original bright white shine! The
descriptions below discuss the step-wise process for a professional cleaning and
polishing.
- Your pet will need to be dropped off between 7
am and 7:30 am. After recovery from anesthesia, most pets go home after 2 pm
the same day.
- Pre-dental blood work-performed to make sure
your pet is healthy and can handle anesthesia.
- IV catheterization and intubation-performed to
provide access for fluids and medications and for proper ventilation during
anesthesia
 
- Dental scaling-a fast-vibrating ultrasonic
scaling tool is used to remove tartar and calculus from the tooth surface
- Dental polishing-polishing paste is used after
scaling to smooth the roughened tooth surface and remove microscopic material,
and helps provide a protective coating.
- Probing-each tooth and the area around each
tooth (gums) is probed for defects, periodontal pockets (pockets around the
teeth below the gums), and mobility. This is the stage that will assess whether
or not dental x-rays and/or extractions of teeth are needed. Pets receiving
regular yearly cleanings rarely need extractions.
- Dental x-rays-a digital x-ray system is used
to give us a comprehensive look at problem teeth (roots along with outer
portions), which helps us make informed decisions about the most appropriate
course of treatment for a tooth (salvage or extraction). For instance, some
abscesses in tooth roots can only be seen with x-rays.
 
- Extractions-the decision to extract a tooth is
made after dental probing and x-rays. If the above assessments reveal
significant tooth disease, the tooth will most likely be extracted. Some
diseased teeth can be saved if disease is minor.
- In the case of having to perform one or
multiple extractions, pain control is always administered for maximum comfort
before and after the procedure.
Home
Dental Care
Between professional cleanings, home dental care is
very beneficial in slowing the buildup of plaque and tartar, possibly extending
the time period in between cleanings. The following are home care procedures
and/or products that we recommend and sell at our hospital.
- Brushing daily-easy-to-use brushes and
flavored tooth pastes are available
- Hill's Prescription Diet t/d-a dental health
diet that can be fed as the sole diet or in addition to a regular diet
- Tartar Shield biscuits and soft rawhide
chews-these treats have an enzyme on the surface that dissolves some plaque and
tartar while your pet chews
- CET chews and water additive-both help to slow
the buildup of tartar
| |
