Oral Healthcare
Everyone can understand the importance of dental care for their pets, because the risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease are the same for animals as it is for people. There is no reason to believe that animals do not feel the same pain of sore gums and a toothache that we feel. So, the main reason to care for your pet's teeth is to prevent pain and keep infections from the mouth spreading to the heart, kidneys, or liver.
If you never brushed your teeth, your mouth would be sore and you would have trouble eating. You might feel tired all the time because the infection in your mouth would spread throughout your body. The exact same thing happens in your pet's mouth. The mouth is the door to the rest of the body. It has a very good immune system to protect it against the constant barrage of bacteria and toxins it deals with every minute, but it needs some help. We must keep it clear of the plaque that is constantly forming on the teeth.
Plaque is a clear, thick substance consisting of saliva, bacteria, and food particles. In fact, plaque is 80% bacteria and forms within 6-8 hours after brushing. It sticks to the teeth and collects in the pockets around them. If not removed, an infection will result. This infection will eventually overwhelm the body's immune system.
Signs of gingivitis and periodontal disease:
- Bad Breath
- Drooling
- Difficulty chewing or eating
- Vomiting
- Gums swollen or red, may bleed
- Brownish-yellow calculus (tartar) on teeth
- Receded gums
- Loose or missing teeth
The best defense against plaque is regular brushing at home in combination with professional scaling and polishing. At the time of your pet’s annual wellness exam, we may recommend that the teeth be cleaned and polished. Subgingival scaling removes the plaque and tartar buildup that occurs underneath the gum line. It is the subgingival plaque and tarter that leads to severe periodontal disease. This can’t be removed with hand scaling or brushing, as pets won’t tolerate the discomfort it causes without anesthesia. Polishing after scaling smoothes the surface of teeth to discourage plaque buildup. Annual dental X-rays also help us determine the health of your pets teeth below the gum line as periodontal disease often strikes silently below the gum and allows early diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. Modern veterinary dentistry allows us to safely anesthetize most pets to clean the teeth. Depending on your ability to brush the teeth, your pet may need his or her teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months to one year.
At CVH we offer digital dental radiography, which is not commonly offered at other general veterinary practices, in order to provide your pet with the very best care that veterinary medicine has to offer. We also can perform a variety of advanced oral surgeries, including:
- Dental sealants
- Laser gingival resection
- Biopsies of masses and other oral lesions
- Gingival contouring to reduce periodontal pockets
- Surgical extractions with gingival flaps
