There’s nothing like a smooch from your pet. You’re all cozy on the couch, petting Sadie or Toby’s soft fur. You look down at them, they look up at you and up their muzzle comes for a kiss. But WHOA BABY! That is some serious breath on your furry friend!
The most common disease we encounter in veterinary medicine (and we encounter it daily) is periodontal (gum) disease. From the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC):
“Gum disease is an infection resulting from build-up of soft dental plaque on the surfaces of the teeth around the gums. The bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue if plaque is allowed to accumulate, which often leads to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth.
Hard dental tartar (calculus) consists of calcium salts from saliva deposited on plaque. Tartar starts to form within a few days on a tooth surface that is not kept clean, and provides a rough surface that enhances further plaque accumulation. Once it has begun to grow in thickness, tartar is difficult to remove without dental instruments.”
What this means is, as your pet salivates normally, small mineral deposits form on their teeth, causing a rough surface (if the tartar is not cleaned off regularly). As your pet goes about their normal routine (eating their kibble, drinking their water, chewing on all manner of indoors-y/outdoors-y things) little tiny pieces of debris adhere to the teeth, forming plaque. This plaque traps bacteria on the teeth and along the gumline, irritating the gums over time. As the gums become irritated and swollen, the bacteria enter the gums and cause infection. This, combined with hard tartar buildup from saliva leads to periodontal disease that requires veterinary attention.
It is important to note that untreated periodontal disease can cause a host of other health problems, including, but not limited to:
- Loss of appetite/inability to eat
- Loss of teeth and/or bone loss along the jaw
- Systemic infections causing kidney, liver, and heart damage
But not to fear! We, as your veterinarian, have the solution for the dental blues! We recommend that all pets with periodontal disease (and all pets over 3 years of age) get regular dental cleanings under anesthesia to remove the plaque and tartar buildup, check the health of the teeth and bone, and assess any potential dental issues that need to be addressed. The patient needs to be under full anesthesia to make sure that all areas of the mouth can be examined and cleaned. At Plymouth Veterinary Hospital we take great care with our patients’ safety, and you can view a step-by-step overview of our surgical procedure on our website.
When your pet comes in for a dental cleaning, there are four important steps to the procedure (in addition to our regular surgical routine):
- A complete oral exam under anesthesia is performed. This allows the veterinarian to look for broken or dead teeth, abscesses, and other abnormalities not easily seen during a routine physical examination. The extent of the patient’s periodontal disease is determined at this time.
- Dental X-rays are strongly recommended while the patient is under anesthesia (and are required if the periodontal disease is severe or of the removal of teeth is necessary). These X-rays allow the veterinarian to look below the gumline and determine if there are damaged roots or if there is bone loss along the jaw. Dental X-rays are an excellent way to detect problems early so they can be treated before they cause your pet health issues.
- A thorough scaling and polishing of the visible portion of the teeth. The teeth are both manually and electrically scraped to remove the plaque and tartar, and the teeth are polished. This leaves the surface of the teeth nice and smooth, discouraging plaque from adhering to the tooth surface.
- At Plymouth Veterinary Hospital, we recommend the application of a dental sealant (we use Sanos® on our patients) after the cleaning. The sealant helps to protect the teeth against the bacterial buildup that occurs naturally as the tartar begins to re-form on the teeth. Sanos® protects your pet’s teeth for 6 months after application.
However, the best way to combat dental disease (and the rank breath that accompanies it) is at home! There are a number of different ways to do this, and we at Plymouth Veterinary Hospital are here to help you find the best way to keep your pet’s teeth bright and shiny. Our top recommendations for at home dental care (available at our hospital) are:
- Brushing. Yes, just like you do in the mirror every day, brushing is one of the surest ways to prevent tartar buildup. The American Veterinary Medical Association has a great tutorial on how to introduce your pet (aimed at dogs, but equally applicable to cats) to the toothbrush and the best way to brush the teeth. Just remember to use a pet friendly toothpaste as human toothpaste is toxic to pets.
- Food and water additives. At Plymouth Veterinary Hospital we utilize Oratene® water additive and mouth rinse, as well as Plaque Off® to keep plaque from forming on the teeth. These once daily treatments can make a HUGE difference in your pet’s oral health.
- Chewable treats. Tartar Shield® makes amazing biscuits for dogs and yummy treats for cats, and their rawhide chews are both good for the teeth and safe for your pet to eat (due to the compressed fibers). These products contain ingredients that reduce the amount of bacteria and plaque buildup on the teeth, and are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (whose Seal of Approval you should look for when purchasing any dental treat). Dental health can also be delicious!
Call Plymouth Veterinary Hospital at (734) 453-0485 today to schedule an initial dental assessment, request some at home dental products, or make an appointment for a full dental cleaning. Periodontal disease may be a fact of life for your pet, but you now have the tools you need to reduce its risk, help your pet stay healthy, and ensure (relatively) fresh-smelling smooches for many years to come. Now let’s see those pearly whites!
Happy Tails!