What to expect if your pet needs dental care

by

Jan Bellows, D.V.M.

Diplomate, American College Veterinary Dentistry

Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners

Root canals, dental x-rays, orthodontics, crowns, caps, implants, and

periodontal surgery for pets? You must be kidding? Not at all. Dental

procedures are routinely performed in veterinary practices daily. How does a

loving pet owner know if dental care is needed and where can a pet owner go

for advanced dental care.

Examination is the key to diagnosis and helps determine the type of treatment

needed. You need to know what to look for. A pet owner can help by examining

their pet's teeth and oral cavity at least monthly. First smell your dog or

cat's breath. If you sense a disagreeable odor, gum disease may present.

Periodontal disease is the most common ailment of small animals. Gum problems

begin when bacteria accumulates at the gumline around the tooth. Unless

brushed away daily, these bacteria can destroy tooth supporting bone, cause

bleeding and if untreated, tooth loss. Usually the first sign is bad breath.

Other signs you may notice are red swollen gums, tartar (a yellow or brown

accumulation on the tooth surface), or loose teeth.

When examining your pet's mouth look for chips or fractures on the tooth's

surface. Contrary to their popularity, chewing on cow hoofs, rocks, bones or

other hard materials may break teeth. Many times small pieces of enamel is

chip off which usually cause no harm. Deeper chips into the dentin layer may

cause sensitivity to your pet if not treated. If the fracture is deeper you

may notice a red, brown, or black spot in the middle of the tooth's surface.

The spot is the pulp or root canal which may lie open to oral cavity

eventually leading to a tooth abscess.

When your home exam reveals dental problems or if you are still uncertain, a

trip to the veterinarian is in order. The veterinary oral examination will

begin with a complete visual examination of the face, mouth and each tooth.

Frequently pet's mouths have several different problems that need care. The

veterinarian will usually use a record chart similar to the one used by human

dentists to identify and document such dental problems.

A more detailed exam then follows. Unfortunately cats and dogs can not point

to dental abnormalities with their paws so in order to determine the proper

treatment plan, other tests are usually necessary. Sedation and anesthesia

are essential to adequately evaluate oral conditions. Anesthesia allows the

veterinarian or assistant to thoroughly examine each tooth individually.

Modern veterinary medicine offers a wide array of safe and effective

anesthetics and monitoring equipment to allay previous concerns of

anesthesia.

Expect your veterinarian or dental assistant to use a periodontal probe to

measure gum pocket depths around each tooth. One or two millimeters of probe

depth normally exists around each tooth. When dogs or cats are affected by

periodontal disease, the depths may increase to ten millimeters or greater.

If the probe depth is greater than eight millimeters, periodontal disease may

be present requiring additional care to save the tooth. Unfortunately by the

time some pets are presented for dental care, it is too late to save all of

the teeth. Preventative care and periodic check ups should help hinder the

loss of additonal teeth.

Your veterinarian may also take x-rays of abnormal dental conditions. X-rays

show the inside of the tooth and the root which lies below the gumline. Some

veterinarians use human dental x-ray machines while others modify standard

veterinary x-ray equipment. Many decisions are based on x-ray findings.

Usually the veterinarian will visually examine the mouth, note any problems,

take x-rays under anesthesia, and then tell you what needs to be done.

X-rays can also be used to show the pet owner how home dental care should be

improved in order to save teeth.

If your dog or cat needs advanced dental care, where can it be found? Many

veterinarians have taken post graduate dental training in order to better

serve their patients. Nationally there are thirty veterinarians who have

passed advanced written and practical examinations given by the American

Veterinary Medical Association which certifies them as dental specialists.

There are three in Florida (one in the south and two in central Florida).

Veterinary dental specialists can consult with your veterinarian or see your

dog or cat directly without a veterinary referral.

Dogs and cats do not have to suffer the pain and discomfort of untreated

broken or loose teeth or infected gums. With the help of thorough

examinations, x-rays, dental care, and daily brushing, your pet can keep

its teeth in it's mouth where they should be.

Jan Bellows, D.V.M. is a board certified veterinary dental specialist. His

office All Pets Dental Clinic is located at 9111 Taft Street, Pembroke Pines,

Florida 954-432-1111.