Did you know that 85% of dogs and cats over the age of 1 are affected by dental disease?  Periodontal disease is a painful disease that affects your pet’s gums, teeth and surrounding tissue which can lead to more serious health problems such as heart, kidney and liver disease.  Therefore it is important to start prevention early in life.

Similar to us, food and bacteria accumulate on your pet’s teeth thereby forming plaque.  If this plaque is not removed, minerals in the saliva combine with the plaque to create tartar.  Tartar strongly adheres to your pet’s teeth making it impossible to remove by brushing.  The tartar will begin to irritate the surrounding gums resulting in bad breath and inflammation of the gums, also known as gingivitis.  Tartar will begin to build up under your pet’s gum line, causing them to separate from the teeth.  This creates a pocket for bacterial growth.  The damage to the mouth can lead to pain, rotting or loss of teeth, abscesses, bone loss or infection.  The bacteria can also potentially enter the blood stream and cause heart, kidney and liver problems.

Although dental pain can be excruciating, many pets will not exhibit symptoms as an instinctive form of protection from predators.  To avoid appearing weak and vulnerable, many dogs and cats will continue their regular routine and will eat regularly.  They will also continue to eat so as not to starve.  However, your pet may exhibit signs such as difficulty eating or chewing, bleeding or inflamed gums or drooling.  Some animals may have a loss of appetite and consequently lose weight.  One of the most common and often ignored signs of periodontal disease is bad breath.  The bacteria that are building up in the mouth are the cause of bad breath.  Certain breeds of animals are predisposed to more severe dental problems than others.  If you think your pet has signs of periodontal disease, consult your veterinarian for a proper oral exam.

If your pet is suffering from early stages of periodontal disease, a professional dental cleaning, otherwise known as a dental prophylaxis, is required.  At this time, pre-anesthetic blood work is performed to evaluate your pet’s blood glucose, organ and bone marrow values.  These tests help to identify any health issues prior to anesthesia.  Under anesthesia, a complete oral examination is done and each individual tooth and their surrounding tissue are examined.  With the use of ultrasonic scalers, the plaque and tartar are removed.  The teeth are then polished to remove minute scratches where plaque is prone to form.

Dental radiographs may be required to assess the damage done to the teeth, bone and surrounding tissue.  Unhealthy, loose, or fractured teeth need to be extracted.  Due to the high levels of bacteria in the mouth, your pet will require a course of antibiotic treatment.

It is important to maintain your pet’s oral health, after a dental cleaning.  Your pet should have regular visits to your veterinarian for a proper oral exam to help detect early signs of periodontal disease.  Daily tooth brushing is the ideal way to prevent accumulation of plaque.  If brushing is not feasible, there are other options available.  Talk to your veterinarian about the different ways you can keep your pet’s mouth healthy and free of disease.