Dental Disease, a preventable condition, is on the rise!
Did you know...
>85% of dogs over 3 years old have periodontal disease
>68% of cats over 3 years old have periodontal disease
Only 20% of surveyed owners thought their pets had dental disease
What is periodontal disease?
Like the human condition we are familiar with, periodontal disease is an inflammation of the supporting structures of the tooth. Chronic inflammation is a cause of tooth decay and loss, as well as bone loss in the jaw.
What are the consequences of periodontal disease?
The mouth is host to a wide range of bacteria, which are pathogens in other parts of the body and a bacteremic shower occurs several times a day during routine chewing. That said there is no direct evidence that periodontal disease increases the risk of early death from cardiac or renal disease. In healthy animals the bacteria shed from the mouth are quickly removed by the immune system. As periodontal disease worsens there is an association between oral disease and renal/cardiac disease. In two recent studies, treatment of periodontal disease reduced the levels of inflammatory proteins. For this reason we recommend maintaining your pet's oral health throughout their lifetime. We think that you will find, as many owners report, that your pet will act younger following treatment of their severe periodontal disease.
What does a Veterinary periodontal treatment entail?
Most pets today are fed a diet that provides little effective chewing activity that can naturally clean their teeth. A dental prophylaxis and at home dental care (see below for technique) is good for all cats and dogs, and particularly important for toy breeds and short-muzzled animals (like Persian cats and Pug dogs) who have a cramped oral cavity.
Your pet is anesthetized for their dental prophylaxis and periodontal treatment which may require a general health profile to assess the condition of their heart, liver, and kidneys. This is particularly important in older or sick animals. Food and water are withheld after midnight the night before the procedure and the animals are dropped off at our clinic between 7-8 am the morning of the procedure.
Scaling, above and below the gum line, begins the procedure and is done by hand and using an ultrasonic scaling machine. This removes the visible tarter and plaque and prepares the mouth for any extractions that may be needed.
Digital Dental Radiographs are used to determine the health of the teeth and jaw bone (which provides support to the tooth) and when drooling, oral pain, or refusing to eat suggest the possibility of a foreign body. When extraction of diseased teeth is needed, follow-up dental radiographs confirm that we have complete removal of the tooth and diseased structures.
Polishing the teeth smooths minor surface defects where bacteria cling and plaque is re-established.
Fluoride treatment decreases any tooth sensitivity and increases resistance to acid demineralization.
At home dental care
Begin any home dental care slowly. Be sure to keep initial sessions short and sweet, use lots of praise. Our dental kits include a pet specific toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste. After brushing provide your pet with a treat, CET Oral Hygiene Chews are made for cats (Fish and Poultry) and dogs (Veggie Dent and Hextra).