Folsom's Blue Ravine Animal Hospital Offers Top Quality Pet Dental Care

Many people are surprised to learn that their pet needs dental care. The truth is that pets have a higher incidence of dental disease than humans. Of all pets over two years old, 85% have some form of dental disease.

Unlike people, dogs rarely get cavities. They are instead much more prone to gum and periodontal disease related to buildup of tartar on the teeth. Tartar (also known as calculus) is a cement-like substance that forms when food particles and bacteria on the surface of the teeth are mineralized by substances in the saliva. Once food and bacteria are deposited on the teeth, it takes about 48 hours for tartar to begin to form.

Initially, tartar buildup leads to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).This is seen as red, possibly swollen, gums and bad breath. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed with a special instrument, called a scaler. Brushing alone will not remove tartar.

If tartar is not removed, it will build up under the gums. It separates the gums from the teeth to form pockets, which, in turn, encourages even more bacterial growth. At this point the damage, called periodontal disease, is irreversible. It can be very painful and can lead to loose or lost teeth, abscesses, and bone loss or infection. As bacterial growth continues, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream. This can cause infection of the heart valves, liver, and kidneys. If treated by your veterinarian, periodontal disease can be slowed or stopped.

Routine Pet Dental Cleaning

To prevent dental disease, your dog needs routine dental care at home. But to perform good home care, you need to start with clean teeth. Brushing alone will not remove tartar once it has formed. If tartar has formed on your dog’s teeth, it is necessary for your veterinarian to remove it and polish the teeth. A routine dental cleaning consists of:

• Anesthetizing your dog.
• Flushing the mouth with a solution to kill the bacteria.
• Cleaning the teeth with handheld and ultrasonic scalers. All tartar is removed from above and below the gumline. This is extremely important and can only be done if the animal is under anesthesia.
• Polishing the teeth to remove microscopic scratches, which lessens the surface area for tartar to form.
• Inspecting each tooth and the gum around it for any signs of disease.
• Optionally, applying a dental agent to retard plaque build up.
• Recording any abnormalities or additional procedures on a dental chart.
• Determining the best follow-up and home dental care program for your dog.

Note that there are companies that will offer to clean teeth without anesthesia. Generally this procedure, while it may improve the cosmetic appearance of the teeth, will not remove the tartar from below the gumline, where the real disease processes are occurring.

Home Oral Care and Teeth Cleaning for Your Dog or Cat

Routine, daily, at-home brushing can help prevent periodontal disease. Home oral care includes routine examinations of your dog's mouth and brushing her teeth.

• Home oral exam: As you care for your dog's mouth, look for warning signs of gum disease such as bad breath, red and swollen gums, a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gumline, and pain or bleeding when you touch the gums or mouth. You should also watch for discolored, fractured, or missing teeth. Any bumps or masses within the mouth should also be checked by your veterinarian.
  
  
• Daily brushing: Regular brushing of your dog's teeth is a very important preventive for oral and other diseases. Also, studies show that hard kibbles are slightly better than canned food at keeping plaque from accumulating on the teeth. There are veterinary dentist-approved foods and treats on the market that have shown that dogs eating these foods have less plaque and tartar build-up.