Dentistry Services for Dogs and Cats

Periodontal disease (disease in the area around the mouth) is one of the most common health problems in dogs and cats. It is estimated that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of 3 years suffer from some level of periodontal disease. Just as in the human mouth, the process begins with plaque which allows bacteria to invade the gum, causing gingivitis (inflammation of the gum). If the plaque is removed by brushing regularly, the gingivitis resolves. If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar or calculus. As the calculus has a rough surface, even more plaque accumulates. Because of the infection present, bad breath is common. This inflammation causes the pet pain upon chewing and the infection can lead to destruction of the tooth roots and bone, eventually causing the teeth to become loose and fall out. Perhaps the most serious complication of periodontal disease is the millions of bacteria that are present in an infected mouth that can result in infections in other organs, such as the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs.

However, this serious disease is completely preventable. Plaque removal is best achieved by brushing your pet's teeth daily with a special enzymatic dentrifice and a soft bristle tooth brush. Also, simply feeding Prescription Diet T/D food as a total diet has been shown to reduce tartar and plaque mechanically as the pet chews. There are many treats on the market that claim to help prevent gum disease. Although some of them may help, most of these products have a high caloric content and can cause significant weight gain if fed often enough to be effective as a preventative for gum disease.

Rawhide may be helpful also. We have small pieces of rawhide available at the office that have an enzymatic dentrifice in them so as the pet chews, the enzyme is released and helps break down tartar much like brushing with the enzyme paste. As with brushing, these CET Chews should be fed daily. There is some concern that the large rawhide bones that are available could cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed, especially in smaller dogs.

After calculus has developed, a professional cleaning is required. This procedure is performed routinely in our office under general anesthesia. A special ultrasonic instrument is used to remove all tartar and plaque above and below the gum line and then the teeth are polished to smooth any ridges or rough areas to help prevent further plaque attachment. Your pet will be sent home on antibiotics for protection from the bacteria that were removed at cleaning. We also recommend all pets that are susceptible to dental disease (all pets that have required a teeth cleaning) should be on a regular course of prophylactic antibiotics for 5 days out of every month to help prevent recurrence of gingivitis. Also, all pets are sent home after cleaning with a free box of enzymatic chews and a free bag of Prescription Diet T/D dog or cat food to help prevent recurrence of plaque.