D e n t a l   D i s e a s e
 

Different individual cats and dogs show different amounts of tartar and calculus buildup, and varying degrees of gum disease depending on the type of diet, chewing habits, breeding, heredity and occlusion (the way the teeth interlock and meet in the mouth). Without daily home dental care, the average cat or dog needs to have the first professional dental cleaning between the ages of 4-6 years old. Dental cleaning and thorough oral examination should be completed every 1-2 years as the pet ages.

Common Dental Problems
 

Retained deciduous teeth (baby teeth):
 

Usually affecting the canine teeth (or fangs), these are considered retained if both the permanent (adult) teeth and the baby teeth occupy the same location in the mouth at the same time. If the baby teeth do not fall out, by the time the permanent teeth are fully erupted, they should be extracted to avoid crowding of other teeth, and excessive calculus buildup which leads to gum disease.
 

Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions:
 

Also known as resorptive lesions, neck lesions, or FORLs, the exact cause for this cavity-like disease is not known. The tooth is dissolved away at or just below the gumline and eventually the entire crown (visible part of the tooth) will be lost. During this process the tooth often becomes painful as the pulp chamber and nerve of the tooth is exposed. Often affected teeth must be extracted, but more superficial lesions may be slowed with the daily use of antiseptic gel.
 

Fractured teeth:
 

Depending on the age and severity of the fracture, endodontic techniques (root canal, pulp capping) may be an option available at local veterinary dental specialty clinics in the Portland-Metro area. Often the more severely fractured teeth are extracted. No fractured tooth should be ignored, the tooth will eventually become infected and very painful for the pet.
Worn teeth:
Unlike fractured teeth, tooth wear often occurs over an extended period of time. Although the crown of the tooth may be very worn down, (some almost at the gumline) these teeth are not typically sensitive or painful. Gentle dental probing during a veterinary office visit will often determine whether further treatment is needed.
 

Gingivitis:
 

Inflammation of the gums is termed gingivitis. This gum disease is caused by bacteria harbored in tartar and calculus on the teeth. The bacteria eventually cause irritation and inflammation which leads to infection.
As gingivitis progresses, the gums become swollen and very inflamed, even ulcerated. This causes discomfort, which may be indicated by pain in chewing, or a decreased appetite. An early indication of gingivitis is bad breath.
 

Periodontal disease:
 

Excessive dental calculus and gingivitis left untreated leads to periodontal disease, in which there is actual loss of the bone surrounding each tooth. Early bone loss may only be visible on a dental x-ray, but will eventually manifest as a loose tooth. This bone loss is not reversible. Periodontal disease may be mild to severe. Mild bone loss is found during oral examination and dental charting with a dental probe during professional cleaning. More severe disease may be easily seen as pus like discharge around the teeth and gums.
 

Peridontitis:
 

The end stage of peridontal disease, this is indicated by severe gingivitis, swollen gums, pus around the teeth and on the dental calculus. At this stage there is infection, gum detachment, bone loss, and tooth loss.
 

What is done during a Veterinary Dental Cleaning?
 

Your pet will be anesthetized and intubated to protect the lungs from aerosolized bacteria and to maintain the anesthesia while the dental procedure is completed. First the mouth is rinsed well with an antiseptic to reduce bacterial activity. The teeth are then scaled using an ultrasonic scaler to remove tartar and calculus buildup. If buildup is found below the gumline, it is removed carefully with appropriate hand held instruments. The mouth is then checked for signs of gum disease, and the teeth are "charted" according to any periodontal pockets (areas around the teeth with loss of gum attachment and/or bone loss), loose teeth, chipped, fractured or worn teeth, or FORLs found.
If indicated, we may take x-rays of teeth to determine the extent of any disease found. Some teeth may need to be extracted from the mouth to reduce pain or crowding of other teeth, or to treat an infected tooth.
After all the teeth are evaluated, they are polished, and a fluoride treatment is completed. Often we will recommend follow-up home care (brushing), and sometimes an oral antibiotic, or temporary dietary change is needed. Your veterinarian will discuss any additional therapy needed with you, and answer any questions you may have.

 

CARE OF YOUR PET FOLLOWING DENTISTRY
 

Anesthetics can cause nausea/stomach upset. Offer a small amount of water and food tonight. If there is no vomiting, offer a little more 1 hour later.
 

• Do not feed your pet tonight.
 

• Coughing may occur for 2 to 3 days. If it persists longer, please contact the clinic.
 

• Many patients may not have a bowel movement for 24-36 hours after anesthesia. This is normal.
 

• A decrease in activity or appetite for 1-2 days may be observed. However, if your pet exhibits any of the following, please notify the hospital:
1.) Loss of appetite for more than 2 days; 2.) Refusal to drink water for more than 1 day; 3.) Weakness, depression, vomiting, diarrhea.
 

• Artificial tear ointment has been placed in your pet’s eyes, so there may be a bit of drainage around them. This is normal.
 

• Extractions were performed. The gums will be sore for 3-5 days. Please feed soft food for ______ days.
 

• Brush your pet’s teeth at home. The best way to keep your pet’s teeth clean and bright, is to brush them regularly.
 

We recommend an enzymatic veterinary toothpaste to retard the formation of new tartar, gingivitis, and halitosis (bad breath).
 

Only use toothpaste specifically approved for pets. The teeth should be brushed 2-3 times weekly, but some animals need to have their teeth brushed daily. Start slowly by massaging the cheeks and gradually introduce your finger or the toothbrush into the mouth. Have fun with your pet and praise lavishly!
 

Although brushing is still the gold standard for dental care, there are many ways to help keep the teeth clean in addition to brushing; such as tartar-reducing treats, toys, and foods. These can be alternated with the days of brushing. Feel free to ask for more information or advice on home dental care.