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FAQ: DOG & CAT ORAL CARE Why should I brush my dog's or cat's teeth? Daily removal of plaque is the key to an oral hygiene program. Unless your pet's teeth are brushed daily, plaque, which is an accumulation of bacteria, will build up at the gum line. Eventually, calculus (tartar) forms, further irritating the gums and infection progresses to loosen and destroy the attachment of the tooth. In addition to loose teeth, infection under the gum line can spread to the liver, kidneys, and heart. How can I brush my animal's teeth? Brushing the teeth may be difficult when you first start, but with a lot of persistence and positive reinforcement for you and your pet, it can be accomplished and it will get easier. Although it might be a bit tricky to get the teeth brushed, the health benefits for your pet are well worth it. The first step is to pick a soft-bristled, or finger toothbrush. Next, get enzymatic toothpaste from your veterinarian. Do not use human toothpaste because it has detergents that should not be swallowed. How often does my pet need to have teeth cleaned by the veterinarian? The frequency of periodontal cleanings for your pet depends on the degree of plaque and tartar accumulation. It is recommended that on a monthly basis, you examine your pet's teeth to look for an accumulation of yellow or brown material at the area where the tooth meets the gum line. Once you notice plaque or tartar accumulation, it is time for a professional cleaning. Attached to the tartar is bacteria irritating the gum tissues. When treated, the inflammation will resolve. When gingivitis is left untreated, it will progress to periodontitis, which is non-curable. The
intervals between teeth cleaning procedures will depend on the amount of oral
care provided at home, and of course genetics.
Some animals are just genetically more likely to have tartar and
gingivitis than others. Small breed dogs
for instance tend to accumulate plaque and tartar faster than large breed dogs.
If you cannot brush the teeth, then there are other products available to aid
in prevention of tartar and plaque accumulation. Brushing your pets teeth
is the gold standard! Can I just take my fingernail or a dental scaler to remove the tartar? Dental disease occurs below the gum line. If you use your finger nail to remove the tartar from the tooth, you are not removing the disease below the gum line. In order to thoroughly help your pet, plaque and tartar must be removed from below the gum line during a dental cleaning. Do you have to use anesthesia to clean my pet's teeth? Anesthesia is necessary when performing teeth cleaning. Anesthesia provides three important functions: immobilization in order to clean below the gum line, pain control, and the ability to place a tube into the windpipe, so bacterial products do not enter the respiratory system. I am concerned about the anesthesia. Is it safe? We take every effort to ensure your pet’s safety during an anesthetic procedure. We use the safest of anesthetic agents, and all animals have a pre-anesthetic blood panel prior to any anesthesia being administered. Finally all animals are monitored while anesthetized. Please refer to the Surgical FAQ's page for more information on anesthesia. What is involved in the teeth cleaning at your hospital? Each teeth cleaning has 19 separate procedures performed: 1. general exam before anesthesia 15. Oral surgery if needed 16. Treatment plan
It is impossible to quote over the Internet what the procedure will cost because we do not know the status of your pet's teeth and gums. There are four levels of teeth cleanings at our hospital. Fee range is based on severity plus costs for preoperative testing, anesthesia, necessary therapy, and medication. The doctor or staff will be happy to give you an estimate once you bring your dog or cat in for an examination. What is best to feed my pet? Hard food will help remove plaque from teeth. There are special diets specifically manufactured to help keep dogs and cats teeth clean. Feeding the special diets in conjunction with daily brushing is the best to keep the teeth clean. Diet alone will not control plaque, but it will help. What toys should I avoid to protect my pet's teeth? Chewing on objects harder than the tooth may lead to dental fractures. Be especially careful with cow and horse hoofs. They commonly cause fractures of the upper fourth premolars. Tug-of-war games must not be practiced, especially in young dogs and cats to avoid moving growing teeth to abnormal locations. What are cat cavities? Many
cats get painful lesions at the gum line, which invade teeth. They are properly
referred to as Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions (FORLS). Unfortunately we do not
know what causes FORLS, and the most effective treatment involves extraction of
the affected tooth pending dental x-rays. · Bad Breath – this is the leading sign that there is an infection in the mouth. · Tooth loss · Subdued Behavior · Abnormal Drooling · Dropping food from the mouth · Swallowing food whole · Bleeding gums · Going to the food bowl, but not eating · Any change in chewing or eating habits If
your pet displays any of these signs, serious periodontal disease may be
present. A thorough periodontal therapy and possible oral surgery will be
necessary to control this condition. What type of tests are done to diagnose dental disease? If periodontal disease is present or if your pet has a fractured tooth, an oral exam is performed while under anesthesia. A periodontal probe is used to evaluate bone loss around each tooth. X-rays are taken to evaluate if the teeth can be saved or need to be extracted. When do I have to start worrying about dental problems with my pet? As soon as puppy or kitten teeth emerge, its time to start brushing. Although baby teeth are replaced with adult teeth, the puppy or kitten gets used to the brushing procedure which continues for life. What can be done if my pet has periodontal disease? Periodontal disease occurs when tooth support structures are affected by infection. In the beginning stages, cleaning above and below the gum line as well as removal of tartar attached to the tooth will help restore periodontal health. In advanced cases, either periodontal surgery or extractions are performed. In some cases antibiotics given monthly will also help to control the progression of periodontal disease. What are contributing factors for periodontal disease?
What are the treatments of oral disease?
What can you do to fix a broken tooth? If
your dog or cat breaks its tooth, there are two treatments: root canal therapy
or extraction. You cannot leave the tooth alone with an exposed nerve. In
addition to pain, infection will soon develop that can spread to the rest
of your pet's body.
Stages of Periodontal Disease: Periodontal Disease
is PREVENTABLE!
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