Dental Health

Did you know that cats and dogs need dental care, too? Studies indicate that approximately 68% of all pets over three years of age have some sort of periodontal or dental disease. In humans, the most common problem is tooth decay, a loss of calcium from the enamel results in cavities. In pets, the accumulation of tartar results in gum recession, which leads to gingivitis and other problems.

The receding gums allow easier access for bacteria below the gum line, which then allows infections to form, eventually causing the loss of the tooth. In addition, the bacteria from the infection can make their way into the blood stream and be carried to other organs. Heart valve infections, and kidney and liver problems can all be related to bad teeth.

How can I tell?

The clinical sign we most commonly associate with dental problems is bad breath. The bacteria associated with dental problems are the cause here. You may also see discomfort when eating hard foods, possibly associated with dropping food, heavy drooling, and even bleeding from the mouth. Pets may refuse to eat simply because their mouth hurts.

However, as mentioned above, other clinical signs that you normally wouldn’t associate with dental problems may present themselves, such as heart, liver or kidney problems. It is always best to let a doctor determine the exact cause of your pet’s discomfort.

My pet needs a dental. What does that entail?

First, the doctor will perform a full physical examination on your pet, to make sure that a dental is required, and that there are no other obvious health problems that may present other concerns. Depending on the age of your pet, we may require a pre-anesthetic blood profile. This lab work allows us to assess your pet’s liver, kidneys, electrolytes and blood cell counts, helping the doctor tailor the anesthetic protocol to your pet’s needs.

The dental itself is performed under general anesthesia, meaning that your pet will be completely unconscious during the procedure and we can protect your pet’s airway. Using both hand and ultrasonic tools, the tartar is removed from the teeth. Then the teeth are polished to prevent or slow the buildup of new plaque and tartar. If necessary, diseased teeth are extracted and the pet can be placed on antibiotics.

Once the pet is awake, they can be released. For the first few hours, their food and water intake should be restricted due to the anesthesia, and depending upon the severity of the dental procedure, you may wish to feed them softened or canned food for 3-to-4 days to allow healing to occur.

What can I do to help prevent dental disease?

At home, there are several steps to take to help your pet keep his or her teeth clean. The first is to brush their teeth.

Do not use human toothpastes in pets. They are not made to be swallowed, and they can contain sodium, both of which can be harmful to your pets. There are pet toothpastes available either through our office or through a reputable pet store. There are also pet toothbrushes available in a variety of styles.

The first rule of thumb when introducing your pet to having her teeth brushed is Go Slow. This is a new experience for them, and possibly an uncomfortable one. Extra measures of patience and caution are advised.

Go slowly, use just the dampened toothbrush at first for short amounts of time with lots of praise. Then add a small amount of paste and proceed. Some pets will never be comfortable having their teeth brushed. Be sure to speak to your veterinarian and have them demonstrate the proper procedure before beginning any sort of dental regimen for your pets.

There are a number of diets and treats currently on the market that also claim to promote dental health. The diets we are familiar with are designed so that the tooth penetrates the nugget when chewing instead of shattering it. In this manner the nugget helps to clean the tooth as it is eaten. The dental treats work in approximately the same manner.

There are also antibacterial mouthwashes and gels available for pets which can help reduce the amount of bacteria present, which will in turn reduce the chances of dental disease developing, or assist in slowing the progression. Again, products designed for humans should not be used in animals as they could have adverse side effects.

The bottom line

A dental exam should be performed every 6-to-12 months in adult pets. Then, if necessary, a dental cleaning should be performed to help maintain dental health and prevent more severe problems.

When can I bring my pet in?

We perform our dental procedures Monday through Friday and we do request that you schedule an appointment. The night before, your pet can have dinner, but pick up all food bowls when you go to bed. Your pet may have water up until the time of admission. Check-in occurs between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. the morning of the procedure. Please allow 30 minutes between paperwork and the pre-procedure exam by the doctor. The procedure will be done that day, and your pet will be released once he is awake, usually sfter 6:00 p.m.

Currently, we offer 10% off of dental procedures on Wednesdays. The 10% applies to the exam, the anesthesia and the dental cleaning itself. Any additional procedures including extractions, blood work or medications are not affected.

January and February are typically our dental promotion months. During this time, we offer 20% off of a basic dental. Again, this applies to the exam, the anesthesia and the dental cleaning itself. Any additional procedures including extractions, blood work or medications are not affected.

These discounts are not combined with any other discount or offer, such as our senior discount. However, the additional procedures (extractions, blood work, medications, etc.) would be subject to a senior discount or other offer.

If you have any additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment, please give us a call so that we can assist you.