We visited the topic of dental disease is February, which is National Pet Dental Health Month. However, this topic is so important it’s worth discussing again. To quote my previous blog about dental disease: “Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions seen by veterinarians. Over 68% of all dogs over the age of three are estimated to have some form of periodontal or dental disease. Approximately two-thirds of cats over three years of age have some degree of dental disease. The most common problems are due to periodontal disease, gingivitis and cervical neck lesions, also called tooth resorption.”
So, what are the important things to know about dental disease?
Your pet may have periodontal disease (inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth), but you may not be able to see its effects.
The mouth is home to thousands of bacteria, which can multiply on the surfaces of the tooth, and then form plaque. In the beginning stages this will not be visible. Additionally, one way to view what’s happening to the tooth is like an iceberg—you can only see the tip of the problem, and much of the infection lies below the surface, or under the gumline. With periodontal disease, if caught early and a thorough dental scaling and polishing is performed, most of the teeth and gums will have a full recovery. If caught late, the changes cannot be reversed and further disease is inevitable. However, dental scaling and polishing can help to alleviate symptoms and delay progression.
Periodontal disease is an infection—and one that can spread!
As the bacteria continue to multiply, resulting in more plaque and tartar build up, gingivitis, tonsillitis and pharyngitis can also occur. These disease processes can be painful and make eating uncomfortable for your pet. Additionally, the bacteria can also be absorbed into the blood stream and be carried to other organs, such as the heart valves (causing endocarditis), the kidneys, and/or the liver.
Routine oral care at home can prevent these disease processes!
The best way to prevent tartar build-up is regular home care, particularly tooth brushing using toothpaste that is specifically designed to be swallowed. However, starting a brushing routine can be tricky, and should be done carefully to ease your pet into it. Your veterinarian can give you details on how to start a brushing routine for your pet. Additionally, allowing your pet to chew special dog chew toys and treats may help reduce or delay tartar build-up. Some pet foods have been specifically formulated as dental diets that mechanically assist in plaque removal. Keep in mind, cats do not chew like dogs do, so the chew toys, treats, and food options are really only recommended for dogs. For cats, brushing is the best option, but it can seem daunting to get started. Please consult with your veterinarian on which option(s) are best for your pet.
Why does my pet have to be anesthetized for a routine dental cleaning?
A routine dental cleaning involves a thorough dental examination, followed by a dental scaling and polishing to remove the tartar and invisible plaque from all of the tooth surfaces. Most owners have probably witnessed the trouble a veterinarian can have just trying to perform an oral exam on their pet. The fact is, pets will not sit still and allow a cleaning to be performed with the dental scaler—it can be frightening enough for them just by the noise alone! And they would not understand the purpose of trying to clean their mouth, and that part of the cleaning includes cleaning under the gumline. If your pet has significant gingivitis, that cleaning can be painful. Additionally, we often find teeth that need to be extracted that were not noticed during the limited awake oral exam. For their safety, and the safety of the technicians and doctors, these procedures must be done under general anesthesia. Please refer back to my blog post in February for more details on what happens during a dental cleaning, or discuss with your veterinarian.
In summary
Want to know how your pet’s mouth rates? Set up an appointment with your veterinarian to find out!
Kristen Ferguson, DVM, with modified excerpts from “Dental Disease in Dogs” and “Dental Disease in Cats”, Ernest Ward, DVM
© Copyright 2010 Lifelearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.
Twin Maples Barks and Mews 