Happy New Year! Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital Newsletter

Dental Disease

Dental disease is a common and often overlooked problem in pets. While cavities are the most common dental disease of humans, pets are more frequently affected by tartar buildup on the teeth. Tartar accumulation leads to irritation of the gums around the base of the teeth, ultimately leading to exposure of the roots. Potential outcomes of this tooth root exposure include gum infections and tooth loss.

One of the main factors determining the amount of tartar buildup is the individual chemistry in the mouth. Some pets need yearly cleanings; other pets need a cleaning only once every few years.

Diet plays more of a role in the development of tartar accumulation than most people think. Because dry food is not as sticky as canned food, it does not adhere to the teeth as much and thus, does not cause tartar buildup as rapidly. However, eating dry food does not remove tartar from the teeth. Once tartar forms, a professional cleaning is necessary.

Other known risk factors for feline dental disease are the feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. Severe disease of the teeth and gums can alert the veterinarian to test for these diseases.

In some cases, owners are unaware that their pet has dental disease. The problem may be identified with a routine physical examination or during investigation of another problem. In other situations, the probability of dental disease is apparent. The pet may have very bad breath (halitosis), difficulty eating, or changes in temperament.

Many disorders can lead to dental disease. In general, the veterinarian will try to determine whether the problem is limited to the oral cavity (primary dental disease) or has developed as a consequence of another disease (secondary dental disease). Diagnosis of dental disease is usually very straightforward. However, in most cases, the true extent of the disease cannot be determined unless the pet is under anesthesia and the tartar has been removed from each tooth. This facilitates a more complete examination of the oral cavity.

Proper cleaning of the teeth requires complete cooperation of the patient so that plaque and tartar can be removed properly because of this, anesthesia is required. Many owners have a high degree of anxiety related to general anesthesia for their pets. While there is always a degree of risk with any anesthetic, be aware, delaying proper dental care may compromise your pet's health. To minimize risk, our hospital uses modern anesthetics that are deemed safe even for older pets. Also, depending on your pet's age and general health status, various tests such as blood work may be performed prior to anesthesia to detect health problems that might affect the pet under anesthesia. In addition to all of this, our hospital recommends treating with antibiotics for at least two days prior to the dental procedure. This will help to eliminate some of the bacteria that are present in the mouth and in the bloodstream.

Please call us if you have more questions about dental disease. We will be happy to perform an oral exam and recommend a prophylactic cleaning if necessary.