Pet Dental Health: Preventative Care at All Ages

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Periodontal disease is one of the most common health issue in pets. Plaque build-up induces inflammation and encourages the growth of harmful bacteria, which can be risk factors for heart, respiratory, kidney and liver development. Our pets require the same care as we do, if not more, when it comes to their teeth and gum care because they can’t floss and brush their teeth on their own. As a result, the upkeep falls on the owner and preventative care is must!

A proper teeth cleaning involves removing all of the calculus from each tooth, both above and below the gum line. Once the teeth are cleaned, gentle probing around the gum line helps to evaluate the possibility of periodontal disease or tooth resorption (tooth decay). Proper dental procedures also require intra-oral x-rays to make a final diagnosis.

There are many situations when dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia/sedation. This type of procedure is generally recommended for those pets who struggle with behavioral aggression, those who are older, and those who are highly stressed.

Safety and patient comfort are our top priority. Pre-anesthesia testing can help determine the risk associated with general anesthesia and aid in the decision whether or not to perform a necessary dental procedure.  These tests help determine the function of the internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs, which are necessary to help the body safely handle anesthesia. While anesthetized, each patient is connected to our state-of-the-art monitoring system that provides up-to-date information on all vital signs.

There are many advantages to performing general dental procedures under general anesthesia, provided your pet passes the pre-anesthetic testing. The biggest advantage occurs during the scaling of tartar. General anesthesia allows the doctor to work at a 360 degree angle around each tooth. In an awake patient, the doctor has a very limited view of most of the teeth, making it virtually impossible to evaluate the inside surfaces and back of the teeth. The second biggest advantage occurs during x-rays. Since it is difficult to x-ray a moving target, sedating a patient ensures higher accuracy of the x-rays and results.

Unfortunately in advanced cases of periodontal disease, most pet owners are not aware that their pet is suffering until they display obvious signs of discomfort. While at-home preventative care (i.e. teeth brushing) is important, it is also necessary to schedule regular teeth cleanings for your pet with your veterinarian. This type of preventative care allows the veterinarian to track the progress of each patient’s dental history and assess early signs of periodontal infection and or other potential risks.

Animal Health Center’s state-of-the-art animal hospital is experienced in handling all general dentistry procedures as well as more advanced surgical procedures including, but not limited to:

Endodontic therapy

Jaw fracture repair

Surgical extractions

Orthodontics

Restorations

Oral cancer surgery

Treatment of periodontal disease

Keeping your pets happy and healthy at every stage of their lives is our main priority. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our veterinarians!