"Just Say Cheese"

I admit it. I don't like going to the dentist. I was "lucky" enough to inherit my Mom and Dad's crummy teeth, so a trip to the dentist usually results in the diagnosis of cavities, broken old fillings or worse. The staff at my dentist's office are nice and always try to make the visit pleasant, but it is usually painful and expensive-what's to like? I do make myself go regularly-I know that the preventive care will help ward off even worse dental conditions and possible systemic diseases.

Our pets are no different when it comes to the need for preventive orodontal care. Most people realize that unhealthy teeth or gums can be a source of pain or infection in a body, but few realize they can lead to problems with the over all health of the pet. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream of inflamed gums or through the roots of abscessed teeth and "seed" the filtering organs such as the kidneys and liver, resulting in significant damage and loss of function. This can certainly shorten lifespans, which we've already mentioned are much too short as it is. We want to do all we can to extend these lives, and good dental hygiene is a step in the right direction.

You really should be examining your pet's mouth once a month if they will let you do so safely. This is especially important in dogs who like to chew on hard things (we know rocks are a big "no-no", but some dogs do it anyway) and in older animals. We offer a free dental evaluation by one of our technicians or assistants and encourage clients to make a brief appointment for this important service if they have any questions about their pet's oral health. Start by smelling the breath-"dog breath" is never yummy (except for puppy breath, who can resist that?) but it shouldn't be really foul. This could be coming from accumulating food or periodontal or gum disease. Periodontal disease is very common in pets, caused by bacteria accumulating at the gum line around the tooth and can result in red, swollen or bleeding gums, the breakdown of the bone that holds the teeth in place, loose teeth and and ultimately in the loss of teeth. Periodontal disease can be prevented, but daily brushing is required to remove the offending bacteria. Anti-bacterial and/or enzymatic treats, pastes and rinses can also be used-but something has to be used every day to do any good.

When you are checking the mouth out, look for signs of broken or loose teeth-these may look irregular compared to the same ones on the opposite side or may be painful to the touch. The pet may be drooling excessively or may be pawing at their face. Some may get swellings of the cheek or even protrusion of the eye over the affected tooth. An empty spot where a tooth used to be may have been broken off and roots left behind. These are important to be assessed by your veterinarian as retained root fragments are often sources of pain and infection and much more difficult to remove the longer they remain. You may see a red or brown spot in the center of a broken or chipped tooth-this is the pulp or root canal-living tissue that once exposed, can be quite painful and possibly lead to infection.

Noting any masses or growths in the mouth or on the lips or tongue is an important part of the oral exam. These could be benign growths called an epulis, really just overgrowth of gum tissue, but only microscopic examination by a pathologist can tell for sure. Malignant or cancerous growths in the mouth are often very aggressive and early treatment/removal is essential for their management. Ulcers or wounds here may be symptoms of a systemic disease process.

Your veterinarian or technician will chart the mouth and every individual tooth will be identified just as our dentists do for ours. A probe is used to measure pockets of detachment of the gums
all around a tooth. This needs to be done under general anesthesia as part of the complete dental ATP-Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention plan. It is the only way to be safe and thorough-even the most well-behaved critter doesn't say "ahhhh" and let us poke around their mouth. Radiographs or x-rays, again just like they do for us, are taken (in hospitals that have the equipment to do so) and evaluated for the health of tooth roots and adjacent bony tissue. These are essential in determining the best treatment plan for the teeth or the need for extraction if the tooth cannot be saved (or restoration procedures are too costly.) As hard as it is to believe, most pets do pretty darned well without their teeth. Many don't even chew their food (as is evident when mine puke up their food on my carpet....) I'd probably have a few less scars on my hands and arms if some of my more aggressive patients lost a few of their "weapons."

It may be recommended that your pet visits a veterinary dental specialist if one or more dental conditions warrant it. They will have the equipment and training needed to provide the best care for your beloved friend. However it is provided, by you at home, your general veterinary practitioner or the dental specialist, it is simply important that we work together to ensure our patients are smiling for their next family photo-"Just Say Cheese!"

Peace,
DrReneigh