Dentistry

The American Veterinary Dental Society has reported that by the age of three, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will develop gum disease. Periodontal disease is the most common infectious disease in the world for pets today. The good news is that it can be controlled and prevented with a regime of home care.

Even minor dental infections can cause serious health problems including damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, and even the brain. The best place to start your hygiene program is at your veterinarian. Your pet’s teeth should be checked by your vet on a routine basis. This way, your vet can find any bacteria that could cause the additional health problems before they start.

How to tell if your pet has dental disease is simple. Some signs to look for are:

Bad breath - one of the first signs of dental disease.

A yellowish brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum-line.

Red and swollen gums.

Pain or bleeding when eating or when mouth or gums are touched.

Decrease appetite.

Loose or missing teeth.

Once your pet has periodontal disease, your veterinarian will recommend a treatment regime, depending on the severity. Often this will include blood work to detect any potential problems before sedating your pet for cleaning of the teeth. Unfortunately, chronic periodontal disease can lead to kidney disease, since harmful bacteria can become lodged in the kidneys. Each time your pet swallows, the bacteria from the mouth can be transmitted through the bloodstream, often resulting in secondary diseases.

A thorough dental prophylaxis includes scaling, sub-gingival curetting, ultrasonic cleaning and polishing. Sedation is needed to keep all of the veterinarian’s and assistant’s fingers intact during the procedure.

Overall, the American Veterinary Dental Society suggests a three step plan to help prevent dental disease.

1) Take your pet to the veterinarian.

2) Start a home care routine.

3) Get regular veterinary checkups.

 

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