DENTAL CARE FOR PETS

Periodontal disease affects almost all dogs and cats that are 4 years old or older. Periodontal disease begins with the development of plaque, a substance that forms when bacteria multiply on the teeth and gums. Plaque mixes with saliva, hardens, and turns into tartar and calculus. Bacteria, plaque, tartar, and calculus irritate the gums, which become tender, red, and swollen. This stage of dental disease is called gingivitis. Eventually inflamed gums separate from the teeth, creating pockets that can trap more bacteria. As these pockets deepen, bacteria attack the roots of the teeth and the bony tissue of the jaw, causing teeth to loosen, the gums to bleed, mouth odor, and pain when your pet eats. This is full-blown periodontal disease.

The damaged tissues of the teeth and gums enable bacteria to enter the bloodstream from time to time. The bloodstream carries those bacteria to major organs where they can start infections - the lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver are often affected, as well as parts of the nervous system. Although such infections are usually treatable when caught at an early stage, they can cause serious damage to these organs and, if not caught in time, may cause death.

The consequences of periodontal disease are insidious - they often take their toll in ways that are difficult to detect. The best way to protect your pet from periodontal disease is timely prevention and treatment. The keys to your pet's dental health are regular veterinary care and good preventive care at home. We recommend bringing your pet in for a wellness exam - “checkup” - twice a year. An oral and dental exam is an important part of the wellness exam of your pet at CVC.

If your pet already has evidence of periodontal disease, a professional cleaning will be recommended. This procedure, which takes less than an hour, can be done most thoroughly if the pet is sedated or under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age and physical condition, our doctors may request that blood analyses, radiography, or other diagnostic tests be performed to evaluate the heart, liver, and kidneys function before proceeding with the dental treatment. During the treatment accumulated tartar and calculus is removed by ultrasonic and hand scaling. Teeth that are damaged beyond repair can be extracted. Finally, the teeth are polished to slow down formation of new plaque, tartar, and calculus.

If no evidence of periodontal disease is found during the wellness exam, and between professional treatments as described above, preventive home care is helpful. For cats and dogs, regular brushing is an important part of any preventive dental program. A special toothbrush and toothpaste for pets are recommended. Your veterinarian can show you the proper way to brush your pet's teeth. Dental home care may also include bacteria fighting products that can be sprinkled on your pet’s teeth and even mixed with her drinking water. Feeding your pet coarse-textured food may help prevent accumulation of plaque, tartar, and calculus. Ask our staff to advise you as to the best diet for your pet‘s dental health.