Good oral hygiene is important, not only for looks, but for general
health as well. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and
medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart
disease, kidney failure, strokes and more. Regular check ups and cleanings can prevent
these problems as well as provide your pet with good oral hygiene.
When your pet has a
dental cleaning, we are also screening for oral cancer,
which is highly curable if diagnosed early.
Gum
disease is an infection in the gum tissues and bone that keep your pet's
teeth in place and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. If
diagnosed early, it can be treated and reversed. If treatment is not
received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease may follow.
Regular dental cleanings and check ups are key factors in preventing gum disease.
Recent
studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease, resulting
from poor oral hygiene. A dental cleaning every 6 months helps to keep
your pet's teeth and gums healthy and could possibly reduce your risk of
heart disease and strokes.
Since
gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in pets,
regular dental check ups and cleanings are vital
to better health.
Would you let years go by
between visits to the dentist? Probably not! Your pet's dental health
is just as important to his or her overall health as your dental health
is to your general health. To help us
provide excellent dental care for dogs and cats and educate pet owners
about the importance of proper dental care throughout their pets’
lives, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has developed
the AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Major highlights of
these guidelines are:
Why Dental Care?
Dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked
areas of pet health care. In fact, a recent AAHA study showed that
approximately two-thirds of pet owners do not provide the dental care
that is recommended as essential by veterinarians. What’s more, the
American Veterinary Dental Society reports that 80 percent of dogs and
70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three.
Dental disease doesn’t affect just the mouth. It can lead to more
serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease, which
makes it all the more important that you provide your pets with proper
dental care from the start.
AAHA’s Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats were designed to
provide veterinarians and their teams with a working framework for
small animal dentistry practice, including dental examinations and
cleaning and surgical procedures. Your pet’s dental health isn’t just
in the hands of your veterinarian though. Pet owner education regarding
treatment options for optimum dental health and the importance of home
care are emphasized throughout the guidelines.
Periodontal Disease
Fido’s dog breath and Tabby’s tuna breath aren’t something to be
ignored – they could be indicative of an oral problem, and the sooner
you have it treated by your veterinarian (and learn to care for it
yourself), the sooner you and your pet can smile proudly.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue surrounding the
teeth that takes hold in progressive stages. It starts out as a
bacterial film called plaque. The bacteria attach to the teeth. When
the bacteria die they can be calcified by calcium in saliva. This forms
a hard, rough substance called tartar or calculus which allows more
plaque to accumulate. Initially, plaque is soft and brushing or chewing
hard food and toys can dislodge it. If left to spread, plaque can lead
to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, causing them to become red
and swollen and to bleed easily.
As plaque and calculus develop below the gum line, professional
cleaning will be needed to help manage it. If the plaque and tartar
buildup continues unchecked, infection can form around the root of the
tooth.
In the final stages of periodontal disease, the tissues surrounding
the tooth are destroyed, the bony socket holding the tooth in erodes
and the tooth becomes loose. This is a very painful process for your
four-legged friend, but these problems can be averted before they even
start.
Dental Care at the Veterinary Practice
There are two critical components of your pet’s veterinary
dental care: oral examinations and dental cleanings. Veterinary dental
care begins at the puppy and kitten life stage. AAHA recommends that
veterinarians evaluate puppies and kittens for problems related to the
deciduous (baby) teeth, missing or extra teeth, swellings and oral
development. As your pet ages, your veterinarian will look for
developmental anomalies, the accumulation of plaque and tartar,
periodontal disease and oral tumors.
Veterinarians can perform a basic oral examination on patients that
are awake. However, a short-lasting anesthetic is required in order to
provide a complete and thorough examination as well as dental
cleanings.
The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines recommend regular oral examinations
and dental cleanings, under general anesthesia, for all adult dogs and
cats. AAHA recommends these procedures at least annually starting at
one year of age for cats and small-breed dogs, and at two years of age
for large-breed dogs.
The guidelines further recommend the following:
Pre-anesthetic exam — Whenever
anesthesia is needed, special considerations are taken to help ensure
the safety of your pet. Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your
pet to make sure she’s healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. Depending
on your pet’s age and general physical condition, your veterinarian may
also run blood, urine, electrocardiograph, and x-ray tests to check for
any dangerous heart, kidney, or other conditions. Though there is some
risk associated with any medical procedure, modern anesthesia is
usually safe, even for older pets.
Anesthesia monitoring — During anesthesia, the
monitoring and recording of your pet’s vital signs (such as body
temperature, heart rate, and respiration, as well as other important
factors) is important. This helps ensure the safety of your pet while
undergoing anesthesia.
Dental radiographs — Radiographs (x-rays) of the
teeth are needed periodically in order to completely evaluate your
pet’s oral health. X-rays aid the veterinarian greatly in detecting
abnormalities that cannot be detected under examination alone. In some
cases, x-rays can confirm the need for extraction of teeth that are
loose or badly infected.
Scaling & Polishing — Veterinarians are
advised to use similar instruments as human dentists to remove plaque
and calculus from your pet’s teeth. To smooth out any scratches in the
tooth enamel, polishing with a special paste is also recommended.
Fluoride/sealants — The application of an
anti-plaque substance, such as a fluoride treatment and/or a barrier
sealant is also advised. This can help strengthen and desensitize teeth
as well as decrease future plaque.
Home Dental Care
Your pet’s dental care doesn’t rest with your veterinarian alone.
As a pet owner, you play a pivotal role in helping ensure your pet’s
dental health through regular teeth brushing.
Remember... pets can live longer, healthier lives if oral health
care is managed and maintained throughout their lives. In fact, proper
dental care may add as much as five years to your pet's life! Talk to us about developing a dental care plan for your pet.
