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Columbia Gorge Veterinary
Clinic |
Teeth Cleaning and Oral Health
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Columbia Gorge Veterinary
Clinic |
Pets rarely communicate to their owners the pain and discomfort that oral diseases and periodontal disease causes. Perhaps the most important preventative health care procedures that can be done for cats and dogs over 4 years of age is a professional teeth cleaning. The most common health problem for middle age and older pets is oral disease. Hard mineralized tarter that is loaded with bacteria is the culprit. Tarter acts as a reservoir of disease causing bacteria that puts a constant stress on your pets immune system. Problem caused by this bacteria laden tarter are not limited to periodontal disease and premature tooth loss, but also can involve blood spread infection to the heart, liver and kidneys. The most common symptom of tarter and oral infection is bad breath (halitosis).
The best solution to rid your pet of this heath hazard is a professional teeth cleaning, also commonly called a dental. This involves a multiple step procedure similar to that done for human teeth cleanings, except a few important differences. The most obvious being the need for general anesthesia. Very few dogs and cats are willing to voluntarily hold thier mouths open for a "hands in" 30-40 minute procedure.
A major concern is the safety of anesthesia for your beloved pet. There is always a certain risk involved with anesthesia, but safety of anesthesia has improved markedly with the advent of superior anesthetics drugs and inhalation gasses over the past 10- 15 years. We use the safest anesthetics available. This includes an inhalational anesthetic called isoflorane.
Also optional pre-anesthetic blood screening tests are available to further assess your pets health prior to anesthetic use. Further protection and safety is also afforded by the use of intravenous catheter and I.V. fluid therapy. This helps to enhance and maintain blood pressure and flow to vital organs. Hydration is maintained and enhanced with I.V. fluids. This is offered as an option which enables us to provide a higher level of quality care for your pet while under general anseshesia.
Another area of concern is the potential for oral infection being spread by the blood stream to other areas of the body during the teeth cleaning procedure. When removing the tarter and plaque from the teeth it can be thought of as "stirring the soup pot". We don't want to spread infection in the process of removing the source of the problem (bacteria and tarter). Antibiotic treatment given prophylactically is the best method of prevent spread of bacterial infection and treating concurrent infection problems. Usually the best method is to start your pet on antibiotics 2-3 days in advance of the scheduled dental and then continuing for 4-6 days following the procedure.
The dental procedure itself involves 3 separate steps: (1) Ultrasonic scaling of each tooth to remove heavy tarter deposits. (2) hand scaling to remove tarter and plaque under the gum line and hard to reach surfaces. (3) prophy polishing to remove microscopic deposits and smooth tooth enamel. This step is critical to remove the mineral crystalline base that can act as a catalyst and foundation for tarter to quickly re-accumulate .
Upon removal of tarter and on close inspection of your pets teeth, occasionally seriously diseased teeth are discovered. The best treatment for "terminal" teeth is removal. Most clients prefer to have severely disease teeth extracted at the same time as the teeth cleaning to avoid the need for future anesthetics and costs.
If tooth removal is necessary then pain relief medication is a very good idea for post operative comfort. Safe and effective pain medications (analgesics) are available and highly recommended. Your pet will appreciate this caring treatment.
The result of you having done the professional health care that your pet needs is a happy, healthy pet with a healthy, disease and odor free mouth. Often aging pets act more lively and happy then they have in years after proper oral care. "She acts like a puppy/kitten again" is a comment we often hear. Eliminating sources of chronic pain and constant stress to the immune system are key reasons for this common observation. You will certainly appreciate your pets fresh breath when they lovingly pant or meow up close to your face.
The best way to prevent tarter buildup on your pets teeth is brushing them regularly. Home care is most effective when you are starting with a clean tooth enamel surface. Ideally start when your pets are puppies and kittens to get them (& yourself) used to tooth brushing. Older dogs and cats should be started after the teeth have been restored to good health with a professional teeth cleaning (dental). We recommend brushing at least every other day if not daily. This should be a positive experience for your pet. Start slow and easy and reinforce with a treat when finished.
Special tooth paste formulated for use in animals is best since these are flavored to be more tasty to your pet, contain enzymes to assist in the cleaning process, and lacks foaming agents (so it can be swallowed without irritating your pets stomach).
Tooth brushes and finger brushes are specificity designed for ease of use on pets. Cotton swabs often work well for use in cats and small dogs.
Most dog and cat treats or biscuits are not effective in controlling tartar (even though advertised to be so). There is one exception to this being Hills Prescription Diet T/D (Tarter Control Diet). This is formulated to use a s a regular daily diet however we recommend using this as a supplement or treat. Clinical studies have proven T/D to be effective in slowing tartar accumulation.
If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a professional teeth cleaning, call our clinic at (541) 386-7773.