|
|
|
|
Tracy Checking the Depth of Periodontal Pockets in Dakota's Mouth Our ServiceWe are equipped to offer dental cleaning (prophylaxis) and polishing, fluoride treatment, gingivoplasty, and tooth extraction when necessary. For these purposes we maintain hand dental tools, an ultrasonic dental scaler and polisher, and a high speed drill. Dental Disease"Periodontal disease is a disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, the periodontium, which comprises the gingivae, the periodontal ligament, and the alveolar bone. Over 87% of dogs and cats more than 3 years old have periodontal disease to a degree which would benefit from treatment. More teeth are lost as a result of periodontal disease than for any other reason; most of these teeth are healthy" (Emily and Penman, 35). Briefly, periodontal disease occurs when plaque accumulates under the gum line. Bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums, and gingivitis or reddened gums occur. As this disease progresses more plaque and then tartar form just under the gum and push the gum away from the tooth, causing a pocket to form and bacteria to multiply under the gum. As more and more plaque, tartar and bacteria accumulate, the gum is pushed farther away from the tooth, the pocket deepens, an abscess may form, the bone and the ligaments around the teeth are destroyed, and eventually the tooth becomes too loose to save. The other health risks of periodontal disease are associated with infection from the mouth moving through the blood stream and affecting the internal organs, such as the heart or kidneys. To prevent periodontal disease we recommend tooth brushing, special foods, and encouraging your pet to chew appropriate toys. Once the disease is present a dentistry is recommended to remove accumulated plaque and tartar above and below the gum line as well as to remove any loose teeth. What Happens When My Pet Has a "Dentistry"?Very few animals will willingly stay still enough (or open wide enough) for us to clean and polish their teeth, so a dentistry for your dog or cat will always involve a general anaesthetic. Because most of the pets who need a dentistry are more "senior" in age, they are more likely to have underlying health problems, and therefore, some blood work and a urine sample are usually recommended prior to the anaesthetic and the dentistry. While your pet is under anaesthetic his or her teeth will be hand-scaled (the large portions of tartar will be removed using rongeurs, hand scalers and curettes), and then an ultrasonic scaler will be used to go over the surface of every tooth removing the remaining plaque and calculus. If a loose tooth, or a damaged tooth is identified, we will extract it. We do not "fill" teeth in our practice, nor do we do root canals, but if advanced dental work is desired by a client we are able to either refer you, or bring a veterinary dentist in to do this work. This would obviously have to have been decided in advance. At this point, a periodontal probe is used to identify the depth of the periodontal pockets on each tooth. Then, we use a tool called a curette to go into the gingival crevice and remove any "hidden" debris from each tooth surface. All the surfaces of each tooth are then polished. If we did not polish the teeth, the cleaning would leave the tooth surfaces roughened and would actually speed up the accumulation of plaque following the dentistry. A coating of fluoride is applied and left on for several minutes, and then the mouth is rinsed thoroughly. A pet who has had multiple extractions can be expected to have a small amount of bleeding from the mouth for several days, and will probably do better with either canned food or softened kibble during this time. We recommend a very light meal on the evening following a dental, and water as your pet wishes. Pets who have had extractions will receive pain medication at the time of the dentistry. If they seem uncomfortable on arrival home, further pain medication can be dispensed. Dentistry MonthsFebruary and March are dentistry months at our hospital. If you haven't received our flyer in the mail, or need more information, please call us at 692-3411 during regular business hours. BrushingYour veterinarian will often recommend brushing your pet's teeth. This may seem a little silly at first, but if you have the time and your pet is willing, this is a great way to give your pet healthy teeth and gums. Ask us about tooth paste and tooth brushes that would work for your pet. While it is impossible with brushing alone to remove tartar that has already formed, your efforts can slow or halt the formation of tartar, and gum health can be greatly improved. In a pet who has just had a dental prophylaxis (cleaning) brushing can go a long way towards preserving that new pearly white smile! Special Food for Reduction of TartarThere are now a number of foods on the market (both found at the veterinary hospital and at the pet store) which can help to minimize plaque and tartar buildup. These foods are appropriate if your pet does not like to chew enough to keep their teeth and gums healthy, or if you are unable to brush your pet's teeth. Toys and Products to Reduce Tartar FormationWe do not recommend natural bones or rope toys. The bones are hard enough that pets who chew bones can fracture their teeth, and the strings in the rope toys can be hard on both the teeth and gums. Some dogs also like to chew rocks which cause the same problems. Try products such as rawhide which are hard, but not as hard as the teeth, and hard rubber toys in which treats can be hidden. If you need some ideas, please ask our receptionists, technicians, or your veterinarian.
Works Cited Emily, Peter and Penman, Susanna. Handbook of Small Animal Dentistry. 2nd Ed. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1994.
|
Site created by Dr. Heather Ann Matheson-Rakita. Copyright 2003 Manotick Veterinary Hospital. Last modified: February 02, 2004 |
