Continued from page one...
My pet doesn't
seem like s/he is in any pain. Do they experience oral pain?
They may not verbalize
or complain like a human would, but animals most likely feel pain with
periodontal disease. The pain levels may be low, or very noticeable, and
it varies with each animal. Obvious signs of oral pain may include: "chattering"
teeth while eating or grooming, drooling, crying out, and refusing to
eat. Please see this informative article by a veterinary dental specialist,
Ben H. Colmery III, DVM, "Pet
Dental Care - Does it Hurt"?
My pet lost a tooth
the other day. S/he seems fine. Do I need to do anything?
Yes - please see your veterinarian as soon as possible to check the pocket
and other teeth. Exposed tissue can be very painful and are open to infection.
My vet has recommended
a dental for my pet. What should l expect?
If your pet has a lot of periodontal disease, your vet will likely prescribe
antibiotics for a few days prior to the dental. This will reduce the infection
in the mouth and the spread of bacteria via the bloodstream. Pets need
to be anesthetized for a full dental cleaning. Scaling tartar can be done
while awake, but for a thorough oral exam and cleaning, animals must be
anesthetized. Scaling tartar on an awake animal, without polishing the
teeth, leaves a rough surface to the tooth, predisposing the tooth for
more plaque and tartar accumulation, quicker. Most vets strongly urge
pre-anesthetic blood work to ensure that everything else is OK with your
pet.
Your pet will be anesthetized, any medications or fluids will be administered, and the vet or veterinary technician will scale the teeth, examine the gums (and any pockets), extract diseased teeth*, and polish the teeth. The equipment used on your pet's teeth is much like you would find in a human dental office.
*There are other options - such as root canals, crowns, etc. Please speak with your veterinarian about these options, or seek a referral to a veterinary dental specialist.
How can I care
for my pet's teeth at home?
It is important to
use products specifically designed for dogs and cats. Do not use human
toothpaste on your pet's teeth. Products are available for cats
and for ]dogs.
Your veterinarian or veterinary technician can show you the proper techniques
for your pet. Some animals do well with a toothbrush, some do not. Other
products include finger swabs, tooth 'cloths', and mouth rinses. Talk
to your vet about what type of product would work best for your pet. Ideally,
the teeth should be brushed daily, as with humans. Even once every few
days will be a big help.
It is important to watch the treats, too. The soft, gummy treats can be especially bad for the teeth - they are soft, sticky, and full of sugar. Treats such as raw carrots for dogs are a much healthier choice. There are many "dental treats" on the market now to reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
More dental questions?
Here is an excellent
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about pet's teeth, from Dr. Holmstrom
at the Pets Need Dental Care, too site.
Has
your pet had a
professional dental cleaning?
Cast your vote!
Thanks for visiting, and watch for more Q & A articles in the future!
Text: Copyright © Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM. All rights reserved.
Photo credit: "Open up and say Ahhhh" by sarah m scott on Flickr
