Frequently Asked Dental
Questions and Answers
Why Should I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?
Daily removal of plaque is the key to an effective oral hygiene program. Unless your pet’s teeth are brushed daily, plaque, which is an accumulation of bacteria, will build up at the gum line. Eventually, calculus forms, further irritating the gums, causing infection that progresses to destroy the attachment around your pet’s teeth. In addition to creating loose teeth, infection under the gum line can spread to the liver, kidneys, and heart.
How Can I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?
First, pick a soft bristled or finger toothbrush. (You can also use a washcloth or just your finger). Next, get toothpaste from your veterinarian. Do not use toothpaste intended for human use because it has detergents that should not be swallowed. Apply a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush and brush the outside of the upper cheek teeth. Concentrate on the area where the tooth meets the gum line.
How Often Does My Pet Need To Have Its
Teeth Cleaned By The Veterinarian?
It depends on the degree of plaque and tartar accumulation. Examine your pet’s teeth monthly. Look for an accumulation of yellow or brown material at the area where the tooth meets the gum line. Pay particular attention to the cheek teeth and canines.
- Once you notice plaque or tartar accumulation, it is time for a professional cleaning. Do not wait. Attached to the tartar are bacteria that are irritating gum tissues. When treated, inflammation will be resolved. When gingivitis is left untreated, it will progress to periodontitis, which is nonreversible.
- The intervals between teeth-cleaning procedures will depend on how often you can brush your pet’s teeth. Once or twice daily is optimum. If you cannot brush your pet’s teeth, then your pet may need two or three professional teeth-cleaning visits yearly.
Can I Just Take My Fingernail Or A
Dental Scaler To Remove The Calculus?
Dental disease occurs below the gum line. By removing calculus from the visible part of the tooth, you are not removing disease below the gum line. In order to help your pet, plaque and calculus must be removed from below the gum line.
Do You Have To Use Anesthetics
To Clean My Pet’s Teeth?
Anesthesia is necessary when performing teeth cleaning. Anesthesia provides three important functions: immobilization in order to clean below the gum line, pain control, and the ability to place a tube into the trachea (windpipe) so bacterial products do not enter the respiratory system.
I Am Concerned About Anesthesia. Is It Safe?
We take every effort to ensure anesthetics are safely administered. We use the safest anesthetic agents available. All dogs and cats are given preoperative tests, depending on their age and condition, to qualify them as candidates for anesthesia. Finally, while anesthetized, all animals are monitored with pulse oximeters.
What Is Involved In The Teeth
Cleaning At Your Hospital?
For each professional teeth cleaning, the following separate procedures are performed:
- A general exam before anesthesia, including evaluation of the bite, preoperative organ testing, and identification of abnormal wear patterns, gum infection and oral cancer.
- Oral examination of each tooth under anesthesia.
- Calculus removal from the visible part of the teeth.
- Subgingival (below-the-gum-line) scaling, root planning and curettage where indicated.
- Tooth polishing.
- Irrigation.
- Dental charting to keep a record of abnormalities.
- Therapy if necessary.
- Home care instructions.
How Much Does A Tooth-Cleaning Cost?
It is nearly impossible to quote exactly what the procedure will cost because we do not know what state your pet’s teeth, roots, and gums are in. The range of fees is based on severity as well as fees for preoperative testing, anesthesia, necessary therapy, and medication. The doctor or technical staff will be happy to provide you with a Treatment Plan once you bring in your pet for an examination.
What Is Best To Feed My Pet?
Hard food may help remove plaque from teeth. There are special diets specifically manufactured to help keep dogs’ and cats’ teeth clean. Feeding these special diets in conjunction with daily brushing is the best way to keep the teeth clean. Diet alone will not control plaque, but it may help.
What Toys Should I Avoid To Protect My Pet’s Teeth?
Chewing on objects harder than the tooth may lead to dental fractures. Be especially careful with cow and horse hooves. They commonly cause fractures of the upper cheek teeth. Use caution when playing tug-of-war games, especially with young pets, because they can move growing teeth to abnormal positions. Also be careful when throwing dog Frisbees that can also cause trauma to the teeth and gums resulting in pulpitis (inflammation of the pulp).
What Are Cat Cavities?
Many cats get painful lesions at the gum line that invades the teeth. The lesions are referred to as feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs). Unfortunately, we do not know what causes FORLs, and the most effective treatment involves extraction of the affected tooth. Check to see if your cat has a FORL by placing a cotton-tipped applicator to the gum line and pressing gently. If there is a painful lesion, your cat will chatter its jaw and therefore must be treated. Or you can always schedule an appointment if you suspect your cat has a FORL.
How Can I Tell If My Pet Is
Suffering From Periodontal Disease?
The leading sign is bad breath. Dogs and cats should not have disagreeable mouth odor. Bad breath is a result from infection. If your pet’s breath does not “smell like roses,” let us examine its mouth and advise care.
What Types Of Tests Are Done
To Diagnose Dental Disease?
If periodontal disease is present or if your pet has a fractured tooth, an oral exam is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. A periodontal probe is used to evaluate bone loss around each tooth. Radiographs may also be taken to evaluate if teeth are healthy below the gum line or need to be extracted.
When Do I Have To Start Worrying
About Dental Problems With My Pet?
As soon as puppy or kitten teeth emerge, it’s time to start brushing. Although baby teeth are replaced, the puppy or kitten can become accustomed to the brushing procedure, which continues for life.
What Can Be Done If My Pet Has Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease occurs when tooth support structures are affected by infection. In the beginning stages, cleaning above and below the gum line as well as removal of calculus attached to the tooth will help restore periodontal health. In advanced cases, either periodontal surgery or extractions are performed. Antibiotics given monthly (under Veterinarian discretion) also help to control the progression of periodontal disease.
Which Animals Are At Most Risk
For Periodontal Disease?
Smaller breeds are more prone than larger because the teeth are close together and these dogs usually live longer. Terriers, Maltese, and Shih Tzus are especially prone to periodontal disease. (Editor’s/Webmaster’s note: As was my 9 year old toy poodle Chet, who had 14 teeth removed recently.)
