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Dental Care for Your Pet

What about our pets?		What factors contribute to dental disease in pets?
Studies show that 70 to 80% of dogs and cats suffer from some form of dental disease by 3 years of age!		Lack of routine dental care at home. Poorly positioned teeth due to crowding, rotated teeth or retained deciduous (“baby”) teeth. Malocclusion (over or under-bite) in which the teeth do not meet properly when chewing. Genetics. Some breeds of dogs and cats (and some individual animals) are more prone to dental problems than others.

How does dental disease happen?
(Thanks to Dr. Jan Bellows for these photos)

Early Gingivitis in a Dog It starts with plaque, a colorless film, composed mostly of bacteria, that forms continuously on the teeth and gums. As it mixes with food particles and minerals in the saliva, it becomes a brownish paste called tartar. Over time, it hardens into a cement-like material called calculus.	Grade 1 Gingivitis. Inflammation at gum line. The first stage of dental disease is called gingivitis. The gums are swollen, red and sore. There may be a bright red line along the edge of the gums and the beginnings of bad breath.	Grade 1 Gingivitis in a Cat Note the inflammation (redness) along the gum line. This stage is reversible with early intervention and professional care.	Grade 2 Gingivitis. Edema (swelling) and inflammation. Untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontal disease. Calculus advances under the gum line, breaking the attachments between the teeth and their surrounding tissues.	Grade 2 Periodontal Disease. Edema, gingival bleeding upon probing. Bacteria invade the damaged tissues, causing inflammation and further damage to the teeth and gums.
Grade 3 Periodontal Disease. Inflammation, edema, pus, loss of bone around the teeth. When the infection spreads to the tooth roots and jaw, abscesses form and teeth are lost.	Grade 3 Periodontal Disease in a Cat. At this point your pet may have difficulty eating due to pain. You may see bleeding when your pet chews.	At this stage you will notice a severe foul odor to your pet's breath.	Grade 4 Periodontal Disease. Exposure of roots due to gum recession and bone loss. Once severe periodontal disease has developed, much of the damage is irreversible.	Exposure of the furcation (space) between the roots in a cat with periodontal disease. We can only do our best to improve the situation as much as possible with professional periodontal treatment followed by faithful home care.

What happens to my pet during a dental procedure?
(Pictures from actual procedures at our facility)

Pre-op Exam A physical exam will be performed by a trained Veterinary Technician, who will bring any abnormal findings to the attention of the attending veterinarian. This technician will be with your pet throughout the process, until he or she is out of recovery.	Drawing Blood If your pet is over 5 years of age, blood will be drawn for a Complete Blood Count and a General Health Panel. These tests will ensure that your pet’s vital organs are capable of handling the anesthesia. If your pet is under 5 years old we do not require blood work but it is highly recommended.	Placing I.V. Catheter An IV catheter will be placed so that anesthetics and other medications can be administered safely.	Induction of anesthesia and intubation Your pet will be anesthetized using the safest and most modern techniques available. Heart rate, oxygen level, breathing and temperature will be constantly monitored until your pet is fully awake.	Inspection of Oral Cavity A thorough exam of the mouth and throat will be performed to pick up any abnormality that might be hard to see in an awake animal.
Canine Dental Chart The teeth will be charted and any missing or damaged teeth noted. Pockets between the teeth and gum will be measured.	Hand Scaling The teeth will be scaled by hand...	Ultrasonic Scaler ...as well as ultrasonically to remove all traces of plaque, tartar and calculus.	Extracted Incisors (front teeth) Teeth with severely diseased roots or exposed pulp cavities will be removed to eliminate a source of chronic infection.	Extracted Molar If extractions or other painful procedures are necessary, your pet will receive appropriate pain medications during and after the procedure.
Antiseptic Flush The mouth is thoroughly flushed with an antibacterial solution to kill germs.	Polishing Teeth The teeth are polished to smooth their surfaces in order to slow the buildup of tartar. Fluoride is then applied to the surface of the teeth to help strengthen the enamel.	Immediately after the Procedure Anesthesia will be discontinued. Depending on the extent of dental disease, your pet will be asleep for anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour.	In Recovery Your pet will be brushed out, ears cleaned, nails clipped, then moved to a soft padded bed in the recovery area to continue waking up.	Just Back from a Walk Once fully awake, your pet will have a drink of water, a snack and a short walk outside.

 

At discharge time, a technician will discuss what was done for your pet and go over your discharge instructions and home dental care suggestions.	Brushing Teeth	C.E.T. Chews	Fresh N'Floss	Hill's t/d Diet
For more information, check out PetDental.com

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Unless otherwise indicated, photos are copyright Indian Walk Veterinary Center.
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Last modified: May 04, 2008