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.