Dentistry
Chase Johnson
Good dental care is not just about pretty teeth – it is critical for your pet’s overall health. Dental disease and gingivitis cause foul breath and a painful mouth. When bacteria from diseased gums enter the bloodstream, disease can spread to critical organs including the heart, liver and kidneys. Small breed dogs and cats are particularly prone to early development of dental disease. Did you know that a small breed dog can have significant dental disease as early as 9 months of age?
Home care is an important first step in slowing development of dental disease. Some pet owners are able to brush their pet’s teeth, which is fantastic! For others, offering treats which help clean the teeth is a better alternative. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) maintains a listing of treats which are proven to help clean tartar from your pet’s teeth. Look for their seal of approval on the package.
An annual veterinary exam is extremely important for early detection of dental disease. When indicated, our veterinarians will recommend that your pet be scheduled to have their teeth cleaned.
As explained in the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 2013 Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, proper cleaning and dental care can only be performed with your pet placed under general anesthesia. This allows a cuffed endotracheal tube to be placed in your pet’s airway to protect their lungs from bacteria that is aerosolized during the cleaning. A complete exam with probing under the gumline can be performed, and the teeth and gums are cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler. X-rays can be performed to evaluate potential problems with the tooth roots, and extractions may be necessary. Finally, your pet is placed on appropriate antibiotics and pain medication.
Pet owners should be aware that some non-veterinary establishments offer “teeth cleaning” services. These services basically involve scraping the large chunks of tarter off the teeth. This process does nothing to address the bacteria residing under the gumline, which is the real source of the problem. These services also cannot perform extractions or prescribe appropriate medications.
As explained in the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 2013 Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, proper cleaning and dental care can only be performed with your pet placed under general anesthesia. This allows a cuffed endotracheal tube to be placed in your pet’s airway to protect their lungs from bacteria that is aerosolized during the cleaning. A complete exam with probing under the gumline can be performed, and the teeth and gums are cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler. X-rays can be performed to evaluate potential problems with the tooth roots, and extractions may be necessary. Finally, your pet is placed on appropriate antibiotics and pain medication.
Pet owners should be aware that some non-veterinary establishments offer “teeth cleaning” services. These services basically involve scraping the large chunks of tarter off the teeth. This process does nothing to address the bacteria residing under the gumline, which is the real source of the problem. These services also cannot perform extractions or prescribe appropriate medications.