Dogs and cats don't often get cavities. But they do frequently suffer from other types of dental disease. Periodontal or gum disease, in fact, is the number one illness found in both dogs and cats.
What you need to know about dental care for your pet
- Dental disease can cause serious problems for your pet, ranging from gum inflammation and tooth loss to infection and even organ damage.
- Up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats that don't receive proper dental care will develop signs of dental disease by the age of three.
- Dental disease can be easily prevented by following your veterinarian's advice regarding dental examinations, home care, and dental cleanings.
The dangers of periodontal disease
Without proper dental care, your pet will most likely suffer from bad breath, inflamed gums, missing, loose, or broken teeth, and all of the pain and discomfort such problems can cause. Dental disease can also lead to systemic health problems in dogs and cats. The good news, however, is that dental disease is easily prevented by regular dental examinations, home care, and dental cleanings. What is periodontal disease? Periodontal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque. It often begins with discoloration on the teeth. Without regular dental cleanings, this plaque builds up and turns into tartar. Tartar can dig into the gums, where bacteria can become trapped and cause infections. If left unchecked, periodontal disease can lead to serious pain, infection, and tooth loss. The infection can also result in bacteria entering the bloodstream and damaging other organs or body systems in your pet. It can also complicate other underlying diseases, such as diabetes or chronic sinusitis.
Prevention is the best answer
While the damage caused by periodontal disease is sometimes irreversible, it can be halted with antibiotics and regular cleaning. The wisest solution is to stop the disease before it starts.
Annual cleanings
Beginning at age one, your pet should have an annual dental examination and cleaning performed by your veterinarian. A thorough cleaning removes plaque and tartar both above and below the gum line. This proactive treatment is aimed at maintaining the natural oral defenses so that periodontal disease and other dental problems have a harder time becoming established. A good home care program can tremendously extend the positive effects of the professional cleaning.
Brushing
The best form of oral home care is daily brushing with a soft toothbrush. There is no better way of removing the disease-causing dental plaque. Your veterinarian can show you how to do it, and provide special brushes, toothpastes, and oral gels specifically made for pets. We can also tell you about special treats that help control dental plaque.
Dental diets
Dry food is generally better than canned for tooth health. However, you'll get the best results with specially formulated foods that have been proven effective in combating plaque and tartar buildup. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
Signs of poor dental health
- Bad breath
- Visible tartar on the teeth
- Swelling under the eyes
- Loose or missing teeth
- Difficulty eating
- Discharge from the nose
- Drooling or excessive salivation
- Pawing at the teeth or mouth
- Discoloration or staining of the teeth
- Red, irritated, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Lethargy and loss of vitality
What should I do about broken teeth?
Broken teeth can be extremely painful for pets and can lead to chronic infection, abscess formation, and loss of secondary teeth. Immediate treatment is vital. Performing a root canal will save what's left of the broken tooth and prevent it from being reinfected. Where root canal is not an option, the tooth should be extracted.
I'm not sure I can afford dental cleanings every year.
While dental cleanings may seem like an added expense, they're actually a very cost effective investment in your pet's health. Caught early, dental problems are easy to treat. Neglected, they can turn into serious, costly, and painful problems.
Does my pet need to be anesthetized during cleanings?
Yes. Unlike with human patients, we can't explain to your pet what's happening and why. For that reason, we need to anesthetize pets in order to access the entire mouth and gums and perform the necessary work thoroughly and safely. Your veterinarian will recommend pre-anesthetic testing to make sure there are no hidden health problems that could affect your pet's ability to undergo the procedure.
VCA Pet Tips:
- Older or ill pets may need dental cleanings more frequently than once a year.
- Smaller breeds of dogs seem to be particularly bothered by dental disease.
- Dental problems can cause loss of appetite and weight loss, especially in older pets.
Dental X-Rays
Our hospital offers dental radiographs (x-rays) as part of our dental care services. In the course of dental treatment, specially designed dental radiology equipment allows your veterinarian to view structures that lie below the gum line. The location of tooth root infections, the extent of periodontal bone loss and the identification of bone cysts and tumors can be identified using dental x-rays. With this knowledge the best decisions can be made in the treatment of your pet.
Anesthesia is required for dental x-rays. A small x-ray film or dental x-ray sensor is placed in the mouth. A movable dental x-ray machine is adjusted to project x-rays through the tooth and jaw onto the plate. The image created can then be viewed to make a diagnosis. Treatment can then be carried out immediately or scheduled for a later date based on the decision reached by you and your pet's veterinarian.
Dentistry
Our hospital offers a variety of Dentistry Services. At your pet's yearly examination it may be determined that they require a dental cleaning. Routine veterinary dentistry involves prophylaxis (teeth cleaning), polishing and a full oral examination.
Dental prophylaxis is performed with your pet under general anesthesia. It involves cleaning the surface of each tooth and scaling below the gumline, where food, bacteria, and tartar build up. To ensure the safety of your pet, pre-operative blood work will be performed prior to the anesthesia.
During a dental procedure, your veterinarian evaluates your pet's teeth for fractures, caries (cavities), excessive wear, and other abnormalities. Your veterinarian will also examine around the gums to detect periodontal disease.
Sometimes teeth need to be pulled (extracted). Dental x-rays, if available, aid in selection of teeth to be pulled and to aid in evaluation of periodontal and other oral diseases. If your pet is found to have more advanced dental or periodontal disease, your veterinarian may recommend more specialized procedures.
What is a root canal?
The root canal is a tunnel in the center of the tooth holding the tooth's pulp (nerve, blood vessels and lymphatics).Root canal therapy is a treatment which involves removing infected contents from the center of the tooth, sterilizing the canal, and replacing the removed material with dental material which provides antibiotic action. The tooth is then restored to function.
How can I tell that my dog needs root canal therapy?
When dogs break their teeth and the pulp is exposed, bacterial and oral debris enter into the center of the tooth, eventually causing the nerves and blood vessels to die. The bacteria then move down the nerve and destroy the tooth support.This can be painful. Once a tooth is broken with the pulp exposed the only two choices for treatment are root canal therapy, which usually saves the tooth, or extraction.
Why would I want my dog to have a root canal instead of an extraction?
Root canal therapy is less invasive than extraction, and in most cases, root canal therapy saves the tooth for the rest of the dog's life.To extract a tooth that has good periodontal support, incisions are made through the gums to the supporting bone, the bone on the outside of the tooth is removed and the tooth extracted. Sutures are placed to close the wound.
Is root canal therapy painful?
Just the opposite. Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp and fills the canal with a material which kills bacteria. In most cases the destruction to the surrounding tooth support tissues stops and resolves after root canal therapy.
