Did you know that periodontal disease is the most common disease in both cats and dogs? 86% of adult pets have some form of periodontal disease. If this goes untreated, the bacteria in the oral cavity can spread into the bloodstream and have harmful effects on the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. By providing good dental care we can help increase your pet's longevity.
We at Shaker Veterinary Hospital are proud of our dental program and are pleased to be multi-time winners of the Hill's National Pet Dental Health Month Contest. Patricia Dominguez, LVT, VTS (Dentistry) is one of a small number of technicians in the country who are specialized in Veterinary Dentistry. She says, "It's critical to have a person who believes in the benefits of good oral care discuss this health issue clearly and in detail with clients." Communicating the positive aspects of veterinary dentistry is important because "administering anesthesia to perform a dental procedure on a beloved pet causes pet owners to worry. A knowledgeable source to answer their questions eases their concerns."
Dental disease can be avoided
Signs of Dental Problems
Bad breath – one of the first signs of dental disease
- A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line
- Red and swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when the mouth or gums are touched
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
- Loose or missing teeth
Does your pet have bad breath or reddened gums?
If so, it could be from gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when soft plaque hardens into rough, irritating tartar. Tartar build-up on your pet's teeth can cause damage to the teeth and gums.
Veterinary Dentistry
Veterinary dentistry is quite different from the equivalent process in people. For most of us, caring for our teeth and gums has been part of our daily routine for as long as we can remember. Consequently, a person's visit to the dental hygienist is relatively brief and does not require sedation. In contrast, veterinary dentistry is considerably more involved, time-consuming, and complex. It requires general anesthesia, and consequently a day's hospitalization and the skills of several people, from veterinarians to veterinary technicians and animal attendants.
Predental Workup
A predental workup involves laboratory and diagnostic tests to better evaluate a pet's current health status and to assure safe anesthesia. Current medical problems must be evaluated and any possible unknown problems must be identified prior to dentistry.
For otherwise healthy young animals, we suggest a brief in-hospital blood screen prior to the day of the dentistry. For older animals, a complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry profile is required prior to the dentistry. Other tests may be beneficial including an electrocardiogram (EKG) and dental x-rays.
Dental Cleanings
Your pet's dental cleaning will begin with a physical examination. This is important to evaluate your pet's general health. After the physical exam, your pet is given an anesthesia for a safe and painless sleep during the dental cleaning.
The first part of dental cleaning requires the removal of tartar. This is done with a hand scaler.
Next, a periodontal probe checks for pockets under the gumline where periodontal disease and bad breath starts. A mechanical scaler is used to clean above the gumline while a curette cleans and smoothes the teeth under the gumline in the crevice.
Your pet's teeth are polished, creating a smooth surface. The gums are washed with an anti- bacterial solution to help delay tartar build-up both under the gumline and on the crown of the tooth.
Finally, the doctor also administers a fluoride treatment to strengthen your pet's teeth, to desensitize exposed roots, and to decrease infection.
Advanced Dentistry
Along with teeth cleaning, Shaker Veterinary Hospital offers advanced dental procedures for pets. Some of the procedures we perform include:
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Root Canals (Endodontics)
- Orthodontic Correction of Functional Bite Problems
- Fracture Repair
- Bone Stabilization Treatment/Consil
- Periodontal Care
- Tooth Extractions
- Gingivitis Treatment/Doxirobe
- Oral Laser Surgery
- Oral Electrocautery Surgery
- Vital Pulpectomies
- Fluoride Treatments
Whether your pet is in need of a simple dental cleaning or has more serious oral problems, Shaker Veterinary Hospital is proud to be able to provide custom dental care.
Home prevention
Dental care does not end with a visit to your veterinarian. You need to continue your veterinarian's good work at home. Brushing your pet's teeth is an important part of home dental care. The staff at Shaker Veterinary Hospital will show you the proper method of brushing your pet's teeth.
Give your pet complete dental care
Annual veterinary dental care and home dental care will help keep your pet's breath fresh and gums and teeth healthy. Your pet's smile and healthier life will be equaled by your smile and pride in a job well done.
Dental Terminology
Consil – a glass ionomer that creates a matrix for new bone to grow across. This product is very helpful following extractions to restore strength to the jaw bones.
Doxyrobe Gel – a gelatinous material impregnated with Doxycycline (antibiotic) that promotes reattachment of the gingival to the tooth root and alveolar bone. Gingival detachment occurs with severe gingival infections.
Root Canal – Performed on a dead or dying tooth that is not going to be extracted. Allows the tooth to remain in the mouth but eliminates the possibility of infection or abscess formation due to exposure of the pulp to the oral cavity.
Vital Pulpectomies – Performed on a very recently fractured tooth with pulp exposure. This procedure allows the tooth to continue living and growing while eliminating the chance of infection.
Dental Radiographs – Allows visualization of the tooth roots and underlying bony structure. Without this diagnostic tool, the information available to the examiner is limited to what is seen outside of the gum tissue. In animals, more then 50% of each tooth lies under the gingiva.
Dental Extractions – Removal of diseased, broken or abnormal teeth is sometimes necessary to eliminate pain for the patient or maintain good oral health.
Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis) – By removing tartar from the teeth and cleaning above and below the gum line, a large amount of infection causing bacteria is eliminated from the body. The bacteria found in tartar have an affinity for the heart valves and the kidneys and if allowed to enter the blood stream (through gingivitis) can cause significant infection). Polishing the teeth restores a smooth surface to the teeth to discourage further tartar build-up. A fluoride treatment helps strengthen the enamel of the teeth to help prevent breaks and painful teeth.