General Information
One of the most overlooked aspects in preventative health maintenance is dental care. Dogs and cats do have problems with their teeth. The most common dental problem is periodontal disease or gum disease, which is caused by a buildup of plaque and calculus, a hard calcium deposit, on the teeth. This disease process is slow and progressively destructive. The process can range from gum inflammation (gingivitis), to stages of accumulation of food particles, bacteria and saliva (plaque), and the formation of calculus, which causes the gum line to recede, causing deep pockets, which expose the roots of the teeth, therefore causing abscessed roots and the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.
The leading complaint, which is noticed by the pet’s owner, is bad breath. Bad breath can be the symptom of a bigger problem, which if left untreated, leads to periodontal disease and permanent loss of teeth. When a diseased mouth is overlooked, the pet’s overall heath can be affected, lowering its resistance to other illnesses.
Other signs to look for are:
Treatment involves a complete oral examination looking for signs of red, inflamed gums or calculus build up with loose, infected teeth (periodontitis). In certain cases, antibiotics may need to be sent home prior to the cleaning.
A thorough teeth cleaning and polishing is performed as routine prophylaxis. During the procedure, the animal is given a short acting general anesthetic and the tartar is removed from the teeth with an ultrasonic scaler. If there is other signs of advanced oral pathology such as fractured, diseased teeth, or advanced periodontal disease, your pet may need more extensive dental work such as tooth extractions. The teeth are then polished, much like they do when you go in for a teeth cleaning.
Prevention of dental problems and care of the teeth begins at home by training your pet to accept the cleaning of his teeth. Establish a routine of brushing your pet’s teeth either with a child’s soft toothbrush, or rubbing the teeth with a soft cloth. Use a circular motion with the stroke emphasized away from the gum tissue. The teeth should be brushed at least three times a week with specially formulated animal toothpaste that is not to be rinsed. Do not use human toothpaste or baking soda. The most important factor is the mechanical removal of the bacterial film that coats the teeth. At first, do not use any cleaning agents. Get your pet used to the idea of the brush/cloth in his mouth. Feeding your pet a dry kibble diet, hard biscuits, and using strong chew toys is also beneficial. Hill’s Prescription Diet T/D has been shown to be effective in reducing calculus formation.