Dental Care

Pet Care

Dental Care

Dental care is an important part of your pet’s preventative health care plan.  Pet can develop dental disease just like people do.  Do your part to help prevent these problems by taking having your pet examined regularly and providing you pet with dental care at home.

Believe it or not, dogs are diagnosed with dental disease more than any other infection.  In fact, 85% of all dogs over one year of age have some degree of periodontal disease, but only 3% get treated.

Signs of Dental Disease

Bad breath or reddened gums can be a sign of gingivitis.  This occurs when plaque builds up on the teeth and hardens into rough tartar.  This irritates and inflames the gums.  Resulting from this, is an infection called periodontal disease.  Bleeding gums, loss of teeth, and infection in the heart and kidneys result if the mouth is left untreated.  This makes it painful for your pet to eat, causing weight loss or anorexia.  Other signs you may notice include a yellowish-brown crust of tartar on the teeth, bleeding when eating or when the mouth or gums are touched or loose or missing teeth.

However, signs of dental disease are not always obviously apparent.  This is the reason why regular dental check ups are so important for your pet’s health.

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

Because a dental cleaning requires the use of general anesthesia, you pet will need to be examined by the veterinarian.  Pre-anesthetic lab work will need to performed as well to help determine if your pet is at low risk for complications, and to help determine if the status of the kidneys and liver.

Once anesthetized, your pet’s teeth will be checked for pockets underneath the gum line.  Tartar and plaque are removed from the tooth surface with an ultrasonic scaler.  Once the tartar has been removed, your pet’s teeth will be polished, smoothing the enamel on the teeth.  A sealant, Oravet, is then applied to the surfaces of the teeth to provide a barrier against tartar and plaque build up. 

If necessary, radiographs may be needed to determine the status of the root of a tooth.  If badly infected or loose, teeth may need to be extracted.

Home Dental Care

Dental care does not end there!  Home dental care is just as important as the trip to the veterinarian.  Just think how your teeth would look and how your breath would smell if you brushed your teeth once a week or less!  Brushing breaks down plaque before it hardens into tartar, preventing periodontal disease.  Giving your pet specialty dental chews and treats, such as CET Chews, Greenies, or Prescription Diet T/d, can also be a part of the home dental care plan.

How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

Different pets will react differently to the routine of brushing their teeth.  Some will readily accept it right away, others will need to be conditioned gradually.  To begin, use your finger or a washcloth wrapped around your finger and use it like a tooth brush.  You may either begin with using just your finger, or see if your pet accepts the specially formulate pet tooth paste.  Most pets enjoy the taste of the tooth paste and will not object.  Do this often, at least daily, to familiarize your pet with having his or her teeth and gums rubbed.  Be sure to begin early with puppies and kittens as well, even if their mouths look healthy. 

Once your pet has been acclimated to the feeling of having their teeth rubbed, you are now ready for a toothbrush.  Pet tooth brushes can be purchased, or a small, soft, child’s toothbrush is acceptable.  Begin using the tooth brush, brushing the front and sides, and even the teeth in the back.  If your pet objects to the tooth brush, try dipping it in warm water or tuna water. 

Your pet should be ready to accept a tooth brush with the specially formulated pet tooth paste.  Never use human tooth paste to brush your pet’s teeth.  It will irritate the stomach and cause foaming at the mouth or even vomiting.

When brushing the teeth, begin with the front teeth.  Then, move to the larger teeth, upper and lower, towards the back.  Keep the brush at a 45 degree angel and move it in a circular motion.  Pay particular attention to the areas where the teeth and gums meet.  An ideal brushing routine would be to brush the teeth every day.  However, with busy schedules, it may be more feasible to brush the teeth at least every couple of days.   

For some quick dental facts and photos of what periodontal disease looks like, click here!

Copyright © 2005. Logue's TLC Pet Hospital.  All rights reserved.

Site designed and maintained by Eversole Design