Dentistry
By the age of 3 around 70% of cats and 80% of dogs will have some form of dental issue. This could be tooth problems, gum disease and other dental problems. Most of the problems stem from a build-up of plaque on the teeth which turns to tartar if not removed. This can lead to the destruction of bone and tissue due to the bacteria which can lead to heart, liver and kidney problems. Dental diseases also cause your pet pain and can shorten their life as well as result in poor quality of life.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Should your pet have dental disease, a vet will do an examination and potentially do a professional dental clean. Your pet will be anaesthetised and a full dental examination will be carried out. This allows the vet to check for gingivitis, tartar and other problems. The tartar will be removed using an ultrasonic scaler. The teeth are then polished using a dental polisher and special paste. Where necessary, teeth may need to be pulled. The hole will be stitched closed with dissolvable stitches.
Your pet may be given an anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic injection during the procedure. You pet is usually able to go home the same day after dental surgery. Your vet will usually discuss a plan to reduce tartar build-up in the future. Make a booking for 6 months after the procedure for a full check-up and assessment of your aftercare in keeping the teeth clean to prevent future dental disease.
The vet will then use an ultrasonic scaler to remove all the tartar that shows above the gumline. The teeth will also be polished using a special paste. If there are no further issues, that will be the end of the dental procedure. If teeth cannot be saved due to decay or damage, they may be extracted as well. Gum surgery may be required to close holes from extractions. Your pet will receive anti-inflammatory and antibiotic injections. Your pet will spend a little time in recovery and can usually go home on the same day.
Your vet will help you implement a concise dental plan to ensure your pet does not have the same issues in future. Some recommendations may include daily brushing with pet safe toothpaste, feeding raw bones, making use of dental toys or even a special diet to prevent future tartar build-up. Your pet should then have another check-up with the vet 6 months after the clean to check on recovery and make sure the problem is not reoccurring.
Signs and Prevention of Dental Disease
Just like humans, pets also need to have their teeth taken care of. Deterioration in the pet’s health can be caused by dental issues. Bad dental health can result in bad breath and pain for your pet and a lowered quality of life. Plaque accumulates from the food debris and saliva combined with bacteria adhering to the teeth. Calcium salts turn the plaque to tartar. Tartar build up can lead to periodontal disease. This affects the structures and tissues supporting the teeth. This can result in tooth loss and oral pain. It can even lead to kidney or heart problems if left untreated.
Signs of dental disease include: yellowish brown build-up on the gum-line (tartar), inflamed gums, bad breath, a change in chewing or eating habits, pawing at the mouth or face, excessive drooling, bleeding or pain when the mouth or gums are touched. Should your pet show any of these signs or symptoms, you should book an appointment for a vet to assess your pet’s dental needs. Early detection of problems can save your pet’s teeth, reduce pain and improve their well-being.
Prevention of dental disease requires home care. This can include brushing your pet’s teeth with a pet safe toothpaste (do not use human toothpaste), feeding them meaty bones (raw) or dental diets to reduce tartar build-up. Teeth cleaning biscuits, enzymatic chews and other dental toys can assist in keeping the teeth clean. Check your pet’s teeth regularly so that tartar can be treated before it turns into periodontal disease. If the build-up is not removed via home care, your pet may need to have their teeth cleaned by a vet under anaesthetic.
A professional dental clean includes scaling (removing tartar) and polishing the teeth. Your vet will assess your pet to determine if any teeth need to be extracted and if anti-inflammatories and antibiotics will be required to treat the dental disease. The assessment may also include blood tests and urine tests, along with a physical exam to ensure the pet is healthy before undergoing anaesthesia. You vet will discuss after care and further methods to ensure a reduced risk of future dental disease.
