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Dental Health - Prolong your pet's life by taking care of his/her teeth
Did you know that an estimated 85% of dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease? Affected pets experience pain and bad breath. Chronic infections of the teeth and gums can cause problems elsewhere in the body. Bacteria enter the bloodstream from infected teeth and cause infection in organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. Good dental care lengthens a pet's life an average of 10-20% through the prevention of these secondary problems.
Plaque is the white or gray soft material that is seen on the tooth near the gum line and it is what we brush off of our own teeth every day. Plaque is composed of food and organic material and bacteria. With time, plaque hardens (mineralizes) and adheres to the tooth and is known as tartar (calculus). Plaque and tartar build up on the teeth and below the gum line which causes infection and inflammation in the gums (gingivitis) and surrounding tissues/structures of the teeth (periodontal disease).
Animals may have signs of oral/dental disease such as halitosis (bad breath), drooling, pawing at the face or mouth, swelling of the face, gum recession, gum swelling, loose teeth, listlessness, reluctance to eat even though they cat hungry, and dropping food.
The Progression/Stages of Dental Disease:
STAGE I
This is a picture of a healthy tooth and healthy gums.
Minimal plaque and tartar are on the tooth surface.
STAGE II
This picture shows gingivitis. There is also plaque, tartar, and mild bad breath.
Now is the best time to clean the teeth (before periodontal disease begins).
STAGE III
This picture shows early periodontal disease. Inflammation,
swelling, and moderate bad breath are present.
STAGE III
This picture shows established periodontal disease. There is pustular discharge,
bleeding, and severe bad breath.
STAGE IV
This picture shows advanced periodontal disease. Bleeding gums are present,
the teeth are mobile, and this animal has severe bad breath. Extraction of
many teeth may be needed at this stage
What can you do to help your pet fight the battle against dental disease?
• Brush his/her teeth three times weekly with a pet enzymatic toothpaste.
• Use oral rinses.
• Feed dry food and hard treats.
• Regular professional teeth cleaning at your veterinarian.
Recognizing that dental care is still an often neglected item of dog and cat general health care, Moulton Animal Hospital is proud to announce its new enhanced veterinary dental services!
Our complete dental package now includes:
pre-dental examination
pre-op anesthetic blood profile
pre-op pain medication
anesthesia
dental X-rays
complete oral examination under anesthesia
complete dental prophy including polishing
tooth assessment and charting
post dental antibiotics
We are also proud to be able to offer more advanced procedures should your pet require it.
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Dental Radiography (X-rays)
An x-ray study of the teeth and surrounding structures is an essential part of a complete oral evaluation. We have portable dental x-ray equipment that can provide the high detail required for the complete evaluation that you expect and your pet deserves
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Dental Aftercare and Home Treatment
Most pets will go home after their dental cleaning with antibiotics and pain medication. It is normal for pets to be groggy
and either sleepy or restless for 12-24 hours after the procedure due to the pain medications. Their appetite and behavior
will return to normal in 1-2 days. Many owners then report that their pets feel so much better than before the procedure!
The goal of home care is to slow down re-accumulation of dental tartar in the future. The very best way to accomplish this
is to brush your pet's teeth every day with special pet tooth paste (do not use human tooth paste). Less frequent brushing
has not been shown to make much of a difference since the tartar calcifies every 24 hours. We will be happy to show you
how to brush your pet's teeth.
Other methods of preventing tartar accumulation include:
1. Science Diet t/d Food is specially formulated to prevent tartar and clean the teeth while your pet eats their dinner! Science Diet t/d is a very effective preventative if used as the pet's sole diet on a regular basis. The food works by decreasing the particles available for tartar formulation and also by mechanically rubbing the tartar off the teeth as the pet chews.
2. If your pet likes to chew on toys or rawhide, you can provide them with special chews that contain the same enzymes that are in toothpaste. The chews enzymatically fight the tartar while the chewing action mechanically rubs tartar off the teeth Depending on how well you are able to care for your pet's teeth at home, and on your pet's predisposition to building tartar, most pets will need professional dental cleanings every few months or years to maintain good dental health. The veterinarians at Moulton Animal Hospital will examine your pet's teeth at every visit and make individualized recommendations based upon your pet's needs.
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