Modern Dental Care for Pets
My-Dog.info > Dog Health
A quiet revolution has occurred in veterinary dentistry and
you need to know about it, because early intervention dental care
programs prevent more than just tooth decay!
In past decades, veterinarians and their clients waited for
problems to arise before dealing with them. Pulling teeth was a
common procedure. Now, after years of careful research, we know
just how important it is to detect oral problems early, before
long-term consequences of unattended conditions arise. By
approaching dental care in this fashion, we can frequently
prevent pain and tooth loss in our animal companions.
Advanced medical equipment, increased levels of training for
veterinarians and registered technicians, and comprehensive
client education programs are helping bring modern dentistry to
Canadian communities. Board certified dental specialists are also
increasingly available. A general veterinary practitioner will
refer your pet to a dental specialist for complicated (and
sophisticated) dental procedures. Root canals, restorative
fillings and caps, orthodontics, and other advanced techniques
ensure top-notch oral care for cats, dogs, and even exotic pets!
Did you know that dental conditions like periodontal disease
are the number one health problem in dogs and cats over 3 years
old; affecting about 70% of cats and 80% of dogs? Did you also
know that gum problems that start with an accumulation of plaque
and tartar lead to gingivitis, which may progress to
periodontitis, a serious infection of the supporting structures
of the teeth? Chronic periodontal disease and periodontitis have
been associated with kidney failure and infections of the heart
valve and other tissues, so never underestimate the long term
effects of untreated dental disease!
Common Dental Conditions
Periodontal disease refers to infection and inflammation of
the supporting tissues of the teeth including the gums,
periodontal ligaments and bony sockets. Once it has been allowed
to progress, periodontal disease is irreversible. Tissues are
permanently damaged and can never regenerate to their normal
state, so early interventions make a big difference in the
long-term oral health of your pet. Once periodontal disease
becomes entrenched, we must think in terms of control, not cure.
Cats are prone to a condition known as feline odontoclastic
resorptive lesions (FORLs). These FORLs are the result of cells
from the cat’s own body eating away at the root of the
tooth. Once a tooth defect extends above the gum line and is
exposed to mouth bacteria, it becomes very painful. Eventually,
the crowns of affected teeth break off at the gum line. The
retained roots are also very painful. According to Dr. Fraser
Hale, a board certified veterinary dental specialist at the Hale
Veterinary Clinic in Guelph, Ontario, the cause of these FORLs is
not fully understood. While research continues, for now, no
preventive measures are known and extraction of affected teeth is
the treatment of choice.
If you have ever experienced a toothache, you know just how
much pain dental disease can cause! PAIN is a serious consequence
of dental disorders. Signs of tooth and gum problems in animals
may include: loss of appetite, red or swollen gums, excessive
drooling, discoloured, broken or cracked teeth, whining or pawing
at the face, eating with a head tilt to one side, dropping food
from the mouth, pus in the mouth, bad breath, and fever.
Cats are particularly good at hiding their problems, even the
pain and discomfort of dental problems. However, if these
problems are present you might notice your cat hiding more than
usual and/or responding aggressively to petting around the face.
Dr. Hale concurs that dogs and cats are very good at dealing with
pain. In his experience, he finds that most owners notice their
pet’s bad breath but are unaware of other signs of dental
disorders until advanced or serious disease develops.
Taking Care of Dental Health
According to Dr. Hale, some veterinary practices have a
special interest in dental care and are particularly well
outfitted for veterinary dentistry. These practices may employ
veterinarians and veterinary technicians who have obtained dental
certificates and may offer dental (intra-oral) X-rays and
comprehensive dental preventive programs designed for each life
stage and tailored to each individual pet.
Regular physical examinations are the first step to protecting
your pet’s oral health. Annual check ups in younger pets,
and twice yearly check ups in seniors provide opportunities for
the trained professional to examine tooth and oral tissue health.
This regular screening process is valuable because it provides a
normal baseline for your pet and helps to identify serious
diseases such as cancer. Since cancer of the oral cavity exhibits
many of the same symptoms as other dental diseases, prompt
identification and treatment of these problems is very important!
If dental problems are identified, your veterinary health care
team will suggest an appropriate intervention that will stabilize
the disease process, and in some cases, cure it. Frequently, a
professional dental cleaning will be recommended. During this
procedure, teeth are cleaned and polished above and below the gum
line while the pet is anesthetized. Dental charting during the
procedure records the results of the comprehensive dental
examination (which can only be carried out in a pet while under
anesthetic), and the treatments carried out.
Some pet owners have concerns about the safety of anesthetic
used for dental procedures. Modern anesthesia is quite safe, and
along with proper pre-anesthetic evaluation should be seen as a
necessary component of veterinary dentistry. Dental procedures
conducted while pets are conscious are risky and should be
avoided. After all, dogs and cats cannot be expected to open wide
and hold still for the course of a procedure that might produce
discomfort. Reflex responses include biting and sudden movements
that may lead to wounds of the delicate mouth tissue.
Pre-anesthetic evaluation does not completely eliminate
anesthetic risk, but provides reassurance that many hidden
medical problems will be picked up before the procedure begins.
In addition to the physical examination, assessments may include
some combination of tests including a complete blood count, urine
analysis, blood chemistry determinations (especially of liver and
kidney function), and sometimes ECGs and chest X-rays.
Remember, the longer a dental disease is left unattended, the
more difficult, and expensive, it will be to treat. So don’t
delay treatment just because your pet’s condition
doesn’t seem overly serious today!
Your Role in Your Pet’s Oral Health
You can help your pet maintain good oral health by providing a
dental care program suited to its needs. Tooth brushing, special
dental treats or diets, mouth gels or rinses may be prescribed by
your veterinarian. This home care regimen may be adjusted as your
pet ages, but should start as soon as you bring your pet home.
Making oral care part of the daily interaction between you and
your pet will help ensure good dental health throughout your
pet’s lifetime and the early training will help your pet
learn to tolerate handling of the mouth area.
Talk to your veterinarian today about the ways you can work
together to enhance the dental health of your four-legged
friends!
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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