Mercury Animal Hospital

DENTAL PROPHYLAXIS

WHY IS MY PET’S DENTAL HEALTH SO IMPORTANT? WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
The most common disease of dogs, cats and humans is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a disease affecting the tissues that support the teeth. Periodontal disease includes gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingival (gums). Gingivitis is also reversible and usually resolves with plaque control and antibiotics. Periodontitis is progressive inflammation of the periodontal tissue. It is characterized by gingivitis, gums receding, deep periodontal pockets and loose teeth.1 Over 50% of adult pets have some form of periodontal disease. If this is left untreated, your pet can experience pain, bad breath or even tooth loss. The over abundance of bacteria, if left untreated, will travel in the bloodstream and infect the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver.

Many owners are very surprised when their veterinarian recommends for the owners to brush their pets teeth, or even more, have a dental cleaning procedure performed. But just imagine what your teeth would look like if you did not brush them!

WHEN SHOULD I HAVE MY PUPPY’S FIRST DENTAL EXAM? WHEN SHOULD I START BRUSHING MY PUPPY’S TEETH?
Your pet should start having their teeth examined on their first visit to the veterinarian. On each puppy/kitten vaccination series, we perform an overall physical examination which includes evaluating their teeth for fractures, abnormal developments, extra teeth or any other problems that may occur from birth. Some of these problems may be corrected with proper and timely treatment. If your puppy/kitten’s teeth are developing normally, then preventative dental care should be instituted. Getting your pet use to having their teeth brush will take some time, so do not get discouraged. As a puppy/kitten or an adult (if you adopt as an adult), you should get them use to you manipulating their mouth by opening their mouth and rubbing your fingers in and around their teeth. This process should ideally be done daily. Once they become use to your manipulations, then you should add a finger toothbrush. Depending on the size of your pet, you may have to work up to using a full sized pet toothbrush. NEVER use human toothpaste because it contains fluoride, which can be harmful to your pet. Toothpaste containing chlorohexidine (an anti-bacterial) should be used. Pet toothpaste comes in chicken, seafood, beef, etc. flavoring. This may add to the your pet accepting their teeth cleaned. If your pet absolutely will not let you clean their teeth, we do offer mouth rinses, which may also be beneficial.
Always remember that good dental and preventative care should begin when your pet is young and regular dental cleanings are a necessary part of the oral hygiene process.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PET HAS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?

GRADE	DESCRIPTION
I HEALTHY	Gingiva- light pink or pigmented; gingival margins have feathered edges No gingival bleeding No calculus Breath not offensive; no periodontal (PD) pockets
II MILD PERIODONTITIS	Gingiva- red and inflamed; minimal gingival bleeding; minor gum receding Plaque (bacteria, saliva, food) & Calculus on tooth surface above and below gum line Mild PD pockets between teeth; mild bad breath (halitosis)
III MODERATE PERIODONTITIS	Gingiva- red and inflamed; mild-mod gum receding; Gums bleed easily Moderate plaque and calculus; halitosis PD pockets deeper; <50% alveolar bone loss (bone that holds tooth in place) Tooth slightly mobile
IV ADVANCED PERIODONTITIS	Gingiva- red and inflamed; mod. Gingival bleeding; extensive gum receding Heavy plaque and calculus; halitosis; >50% alveolar bone loss

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS DURING THE DENTAL CLEANING?
The first step in the dental cleaning process is an oral examination. The veterinarian will look for obvious tooth abnormalities (ie. loose teeth, tumors, fractures, etc.) and address them accordingly. Dental X-rays may be taken to assess disease below the gum line. Once a complete assessment is performed, the veterinarian can decide on the correct dental plan for that patient. The second step in the dental cleaning is the actually cleaning itself. Dental scaling includes scaling the surfaces of the teeth above and below the gum lines. Owners believe if you remove the visible dental tartar than you have accomplished the goal. This only provides owner with a false sense of accomplishment because it is only cosmetic. The most important part in the dental scaling is the scaling just under the gingival (gum) level. The final step after scaling is tooth polishing and applying an oral rinse. Polishing smooths the tooth surface making it difficult for bacteria to attach. Without polishing, plaque and calculus will reaccumulate very quickly because plaque adheres readily to irregular surfaces.

1. The Small Animal Veterinary Notebook. Sophia A. Yin.?1998.
2. The Small Animal Veterinary Notebook. Sophia A. Yin.?1998.