Dentistry
Maintaining good oral health is very important to the overall
well being of your dog or cat. Dental infection can potentially
affect multiple organs via the bloodstream such as the heart, liver,
and kidneys. It has been reported that over 60% of dogs and cats
have some kind of oral pathology, such as gingivitis or periodontal
disease. This can also be a cause of not just bad breath, but pain
and discomfort. It is clear that maintaining healthy gums and teeth
improves the quality of life of our pets.
Our first line of defense is prevention. It all starts with the yearly exam. On our first visit as a puppy or kitten our veterinarians do a complete physical examination of the bite to look for broken or damaged teeth and assess the gums and oral cavity for infection or birth defects. Getting your baby accustomed to handling their mouth makes dental care easier for the lifetime of your pet. Start brushing early, before pathology exists, so the pet will associate dental care with positive time with their owner.
As your pet matures, proper chewing toys and regular brushing helps to maintain that pristine mouth. As your pet reaches six months of age, all the baby teeth should have fallen out to be replaced by the permanent adult teeth. You may notice blood in their mouth at this time of frequent tooth loss. Some breeds retain baby teeth and this shifts the adult teeth into abnormal position. It is very important to check the mouth for this problem and have those retained teeth extracted as soon as possible. This allows the adult teeth to shift back into their normal position before they are permanently set.
Many times tartar, gingivitis, and periodontal disease get to be
significant problems that are too severe to respond to merely
brushing. These pets require an anesthetic and a complete dental
cleaning and polishing. The earlier we can address these concerns
the better chance for resolution. Tartar and gingivitis are
reversible, periodontal disease is treatable, and bone loss is
permanent.
Pre-operative examinations and blood work are performed on every pet before any anesthetic or dental procedures are done. The more we know about a pet’s health the better we can choose the safest anesthetic protocol. The pre-anesthetic work up may also include echocardiography or an electrocardiogram. The dental may be delayed to resolve more serious health issues that were uncovered by our pre-anesthetic work up. On older animals, an intravenous catheter is placed to deliver fluids throughout the day. This prevents dehydration while also maintaining blood flow to the brain, kidneys, etc. during the procedure. We review the records to reveal any problems that may contraindicate certain drug choices.
Anesthetic monitoring includes EKG, blood pressure, blood oxygen content, body temperature, and respiratory rate. These early indicators help our technicians adjust the anesthesia to meet the needs of our patients while also providing for a rapid recovery when the procedure is over. Warming water blankets provide a safe method of maintaining body temperature throughout the dental. After the procedure, the patient is carefully monitored until they are completely awake. Post-operative pain management is administered to those patients who have undergone painful surgeries.
Several of our veterinarians have pursued further education in
the area of dental disease. Modern advances in human dentistry have
crossed over into the veterinary field. The dental air drill,
ultrasonic cleaner, tooth polisher, digital radiograph machine, and
light cure gun are very similar to the equipment you would see in an
advanced human dental office. Bonded sealants are applied to teeth
that have crown damage to prevent pain and strengthen the tooth.
Teeth that look fine on the surface can be like icebergs in the
water; over 60% of the tooth is not visible. Digital dental x-rays
show us root damage, root abscesses, bone loss, and sub gingival
fractures that would otherwise be missed. Extractions are indicated
if significant bone loss or severe tooth damage has occurred. Many
teeth can be saved with the use of gingival surgery, doxyrobe
implants, and root canal or vital pulpotomy treatment. When
extractions are necessary, new surgical techniques shorten surgery
time, trauma, and the speed of healing. Surgical intervention and
biopsy are needed for inflammatory diseases and cancers of the
mouth. Occasionally jaw fractures are also encountered.
Dental care starts with prevention, proceeds to treatment, and returns to home care. Pet toothpaste, dental rinses, chews, dental diets, and fluoride gel are available to maintain that healthy mouth. Our veterinarians attend workshops and seminars to keep on the leading edge of dental techniques and bring these advancements to the Animal Clinic of Parker.