DENTAL HEALTH CARE

Why is dental care important?

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will show signs of periodontal disease by the age of 3. Dental disease can result in bad breath, oral pain, tooth loss, or systemic complications in the kidneys, liver or heart. The accumulation of bacterial plaque and the painful periodontal disease it causes can be prevented with routine preventative measures.

Can a little plaque really be that bad?

Yes! Plaque develops as bacteria combines with food, debris, and saliva in between your pet’s teeth or under the gumline. With time, mineral salts accumulate in the plaque causing it to harden into tartar. Tartar is an easier surface for bacteria to accumulate on and causes direct irritation to the gums, but it’s the bacteria in plaque that do the most damage. As bacterial plaque develops it moves under the gumline where it causes a reversible inflammation in the gums, called gingivitis. If untreated, the bacteria and inflammation can cause a breakdown in the periodontal ligament that anchors the teeth in their bony socket, resulting in pain and infected tooth roots. Breakdown of the periodontal ligament is not reversible and results in lost teeth. In severe cases the infection can spread to the eyes, nasal cavity or jaw bones.

How can I tell if my pet has periodontal disease?

The first sign of periodontal disease is bad breath. While nobody expects their pet’s breath to be minty fresh, noticeably foul breath is not normal for dogs or cats. You may also notice redness or swelling along the gumline where the teeth and gums meet or accumulations of brown-yellow tartar. In severe cases your pet’s gums may recede from the teeth or bleed, they may chew differently, refuse to eat or become lethargic. If your pet is experiencing any of these signs a dental evaluation and cleaning may be necessary.

What is involved in a dental cleaning?

Under general anesthesia, an ultrasonic scaler is used to break up plaque and tartar on the tooth surface and under the gums. Once cleaned, each tooth is carefully evaluated for resorptive lesions (similar to cavities), fractures, or other abnormalities of the tooth surface. The gingival pockets around each tooth are carefully measured, as deepening pockets are an early sign of periodontal ligament loss. Teeth that are loose, have deep gingival pockets, or that are infected need to be extracted. Finally, the teeth are polished to restore the smooth, shiny surface.

Is anesthesia necessary? Is it safe?

General anesthesia is necessary for a few reasons. First, most animals will not cooperate by sitting still and saying ‘ahhh’. General anesthesia ensures we are able to thoroughly evaluate, clean and polish all of your pet’s teeth without causing unnecessary pain or anxiety. Second, a conscious patient is at risk of inhaling plaque, tartar, or water used to flush the mouth. This puts your pet at risk of developing a severe type of pneumonia called aspiration pneumonia. While under general anesthesia, the tube placed into your pet’s trachea to assist in breathing also prevents any foreign matter from getting into the airways. Any dental procedure that does not involve general anesthesia puts your pet at risk of damaged teeth, pneumonia or undue stress or pain.

While we make every effort to keep your pet safe, there is always a risk of adverse reactions whenever a pet goes under general anesthesia. Before the procedure is scheduled your pet will undergo a complete physical exam to determine if your pet is healthy enough for general anesthesia. Depending on your pet’s age, breed, or other medical conditions, pre-anesthetic bloodwork or other tests will be recommended to further screen for conditions or diseases that may affect anesthesia. For most pets the benefits of having clean teeth outweigh the potential risks of general anesthesia. Make sure to ask your veterinarian about risks specific to your pet.

Is follow up care necessary?

Once the teeth have been professionally cleaned continued brushing is necessary to prevent further plaque and tartar buildup. Your pet will be most accepting of brushing if you start early in life, but a dog or cat of any age can learn to accept brushing. The key is to start slow, brushing for only as long as the pet will tolerate, and always make brushing a positive experience. There are different types of brushes and flavors of toothpaste, and finding the right combination for your pet may take some trial and error. Human toothpaste should never be used for pets, as they will swallow it. Detailed information about how to brush your pet’s teeth can be found at dogbeachdentistry.com. If your pet is not receptive to brushing, or brushing alone is not sufficient to maintain a healthy mouth, medicated dental chews, water additives, and a dental vaccine are available.

To help get your pet back on the road to dental health Compassionate Care Veterinary Clinic is offering preventative dental cleanings at a 15% discount for pets examined during the month of February. To qualify for the discount your pet must be up to date on vaccines and heartworm testing and must not have significant dental disease. This discount may be applied to any recommended pre-anesthetic work-up that is completed before the scheduled procedure. This discount does not apply to tooth extractions or medications.

Links For More Information

Hills Dental Health Website

Dental Home Care

Feline Dental Health

At Home Dental Prevention

WhatTo Do If You Think Your Pet Has Periodontal Disease

Pets with dental disease generally have a strong, unpleasant odor from their mouths.  They may paw or rub at their face, or have difficulty chewing.  Some will drool.  If the infections become bad enough, they can lead to abscess  development in the sinus passages or jaw, or spread infection to heart valves, liver or kidneys. 

If you think your pet may have a dental condition, please call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment.  If you are concerned that your pet may just need a dental cleaning, you can discuss it with your veterinarian at your pet's annual exam and consultation.