Cleanliness is next to Dogliness

​Hi everyone!

February is National Dental Health Month! Although dental health encompasses several topics, the subject of this month’s blog will focus on dental cleaning and its importance.

​Your veterinarian has likely discussed and recommended getting your puppy or kitten used to handling his/her mouth when they’re young so that they will accept routine tooth-brushing. Done properly, this can greatly reduce the build up of plaque and tartar and prolong the interval between dental cleanings. Ideally we should brush our pet’s teeth daily.

The AVMA has kindly shared this video which gives step by step instructions on getting your pet used to brushing.* Please note that we always recommend discussing with your veterinarian which chew toys are safe for your pet and always recommend monitoring them during chewing.*
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​It is still recommended that your pet have an oral exam at least once a year to look for signs of periodontal disease (infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth). This can happen from plaque and tartar build up that occurs under the gum line. Serious health issues can arise from untreated periodontal disease, such as permanent tooth loss, organ damage and pain for your pet.

​If your veterinarian discovers periodontal disease, he or she will likely recommend an anesthetized oral exam and cleaning. General anesthesia is required to provide a stress and pain free experience for your pet while ensuring that the veterinarian can perform a thorough exam and cleaning. Although anesthesia is what worries owners most, it is often very safe. We evaluate each pet individually to create the best anesthetic protocol for them.

​Your pet will have a more in depth exam below the gumline using specialized techniques as well as dental radiographs (Xrays) to diagnose any issues with the jaw bone or tooth roots. This is followed by scaling and polishing. Scaling removes all the hardened tartar and calculus, especially under the gum line. Finally, polishing is done to smooth out the surface of the tooth which makes it harder for bacteria to adhere to going forward.

Your veterinarian will likely create and recommend a plan going forward to try and prevent the return of periodontal disease for as long as possible. This could include a specialized diet, oral rinses/gels, certain chew products along with the gold standard of tooth brushing.
 
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about your pet’s dental health!