February is Pet Dental Health Month!

It may not be February yet, but I must point out that it is never too soon to start with good dental health for your pets. I have recently become "the dental person" at my hospital. I really enjoy it. It is a part of the entire animal system that can have so many problems, yet many of those issues are preventable and/or easy to correct.
More than 85% of dogs and cats that are at least 4 years old have periodontal disease, a condition in which bacteria attack the soft gum tissue. What happens is that most people tend to ignore the mouth, just don't make time for them, or just haven't been educated to be aware of the oral health of their pets. The fact is that the more domesticated our pets become, the more their diets have changed, the longer they are living and, as owners/caretakers, we need to step up and take care of them.
I'll be tempted to blog some of my most interesting cases, so if you are squeamish, beware... the pictures will probably be totally gross. My most recent case, as so far the most disgusting case, was this past Monday. My patient, a 13 year old Greyhound who had a dental prophy three years ago. No joke, this is what her mouth looked like:


Needless to express, extensive work was done to clean this mouth, x-ray all teeth, and I ended up extracting 15 teeth which were either mobile, broken, abcessed, or half exposed. We don't put a 13 year old dog under anethesia without a lot of precautions, so it was really important to do what we could this one time, instead of hoping to get a chance to put this dog under again for a second procedure. So if your dogs mouth looks like this...you need to get some work done! This is an extremely painful mouth, the most advanced stage of periodontal disease!



Here is more info from the AVMA website:
Periodontal disease is the final stage in a process that begins with the development of plaque on your pet's teeth. Plaque is a substance that forms when bacteria multiply on the teeth and gums. Plaque mixes with saliva, hardens, and becomes the substances known as tartar and calculus. Bacteria, plaque, tartar, and calculus irritate the gums, which become tender, red, and swollen. This stage of dental disease is called gingivitis. Eventually inflamed gums separate from the teeth, creating pockets that can trap more bacteria. These pockets deepen and bacteria may attack the roots of the teeth and the bony tissue of the jaw, causing teeth to loosen, the gums to bleed, mouth odor, and pain when your pet eats. This is full-blown periodontal disease.
Bacteria from the teeth and gums can enter the bloodstream and may travel to major organs and begin infection there. Among organs that are most often affected are the lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver. Parts of the nervous system may be affected as well. Although these infections are usually treatable when caught at an early stage, they can cause serious damage to these organs and, if not caught in time, may cause death.
Periodontal disease can be prevented and treated. The keys to your pet's oral health are professional veterinary dental care and good care at home. Too few pets receive both and most don't receive either. You can change that today!
Step 1. Visit your veterinarian.In addition to a physical examination and medical history, the doctor will examine your pet's teeth and gums. Recommendations may be made for cleaning, polishing, and other dental care in the hospital, or your veterinarian may suggest a program of home dental care.
Step 2. Professional dental care.If your pet already has evidence of periodontal disease, a professional cleaning is in order. Depending on your pet's age and physical condition, the doctor may request that blood analyses, radiography, or other diagnostic tests be performed to evaluate the heart, liver, and kidneys for coexisting disease before proceeding with general anesthesia.
Once your pet is under anesthesia, accumulated tartar and calculus is removed by ultrasonic and hand scaling. Teeth needing fillings or root canals can be repaired and teeth that are beyond repair can be extracted. Finally the teeth are polished to slow down formation of new plaque, tartar, and calculus. If there is evidence of major bone loss or another serious oral condition, your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary dental specialist.
Step 3. Dental care at home.For cats and dogs, regular brushing is an important part of any preventive dental program. A special toothbrush and toothpaste for pets are recommended. Your veterinarian can show you the proper way to brush your pet's teeth.
Feeding your pet coarse-textured food may help prevent accumulation of plaque, tartar, and calculus. Ask your veterinarian to advise you as to the best diet for your pet.
Step 4. Return to your veterinarian for regular dental checkups every 6 to 18 months, or as recommended.