Dental Care
January, 1998
Our pets teeth require regular care just as our own teeth do.
However, detal care is frequently overlooked, even by
conscientious pet owners.
The most common problem we encounter is periodontal disease. The
first step involves the accumulation of plaque, a collection of
food particles, bacteria and bacterial products. This is soft and
is easily removed by brushing or rinsing the teeth. If allowed to
accumulate, plaque becomes mineralized and hard. This is called
tartar or dental calculus and adheres tightly to the outer layer
of the tooth.
Early signs of periodontal disease are this visible brown tartar
on the teeth and some gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums. As
the condition progresses, tartar formation below the gum line
breaks down attachements between the tooth and gum. The gums
become unhealthly and start to recede. If periodontal disease is
allowed to prgress, gum loss is followed by loss of bone that
makes up the tooth socket. Because increases in numbers of
bacteria are largely responsible for this inflammation and loss
of tissue, other signs include a bad odor to the breath and
possibly pus formation before the teeth fall out on their own.
These bacteria also have the potential to spread through the
bloodstream and cause infection in other organs, such as the
heart or kidneys.
In most dogs, the progression of periodontal disease is slow. It
takes many years to reach the advanced stages. An older dog may
have a mouth so offensive that it’s hard to believe they
still eat and act like they feel fine. It comes on so slowly that
they possibly adapt to the discomfort and don’t complain
until an abscess forms or a loose tooth causes sharp pain.
Although the problems can be dealt with at this advanced stage,
it is recommended to give your dogs some regular preventative
dental care. Feeding an all dry dog food diet and allowing the
dog to chew on “safe” bones or biscuits can help reduce
plaque formation and may even remove tartar after it has hardened
on the teeth. However, most dogs would benefit from additional
preventative care. When possible, brushing the teeth 3-4 times a
week is the most effective. This can be done using guaze, a wash
cloth or a very soft tooth brush. Canine toothpaste is flavored
and doesn’t cause stomach upset when they swallow it. It is
best to get a dog used to the procedure when it is still young.
Adult dogs may be resistant or impossible to adapt.
When brushing is not possible, preventative teeth cleaning can be
done at the veterinarian’s office under sedation. Then it is
possible to remove stubborn accumulations of tartar, even below
the gumline. If necessary, removing some of the gum can also
decrease the size of the pocket where additional food particles,
debris and bacteria will accumulate. Periodic cleaning is usually
required to minimize the effects of periodontal disease.
Antibiotics may be administered before and after each cleaning to
improve the health of the teeth and gums, as well as minimize the
chance of bacterial spread.
Occasionally a tooth root will become abscessed when all visible
parts of the tooth and gum appear normal. The only signs may be a
soft swelling on the side of the face or drainage of fluid and
pus. This usually requires extraction of the tooth and flusing
the infected socket.
For severely damaged teeth, extraction is usually the treatment
of choice. However, at referral practices, board-certified
veterinary dentists are available who can perform root canals and
other endodontic procedures.