Dentistry
We do routine dental work such as cleaning and extractions by appointment. A pre-dentistry examination is required before any dental surgery in order to determine what needs to be done and also to evaluate your pet's surgical health.
Why Veterinary Dentistry is Important? You may have heard that it is possible to add two to four years to your pet's life with proper dental care. This is true, but you will also increase his or her health, vitality and well being. In short, proper dental care will help ensure your pet leads the best life possible.
However, if left untreated, dental disease can not only be painful and inhibit proper nutrition, but it can also lead to serious systemic issues that may threaten your pet's health before symptoms are noticeable. For example, oral bacteria that enter the bloodstream can damage your pet's kidneys, heart or liver.
Despite the importance of proper dental care, dental disease is often overlooked by many pet owners across the country. For example, it is estimated that more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats develop tooth and gum disease by the age of three years.
Simply stated, veterinary dental care is an important piece of your dog or cat's preventative health care program. It will not only prevent dental and systemic disease, but also help minimize the lifetime cost of care for your pet.
Dentistry is often one of the most overlooked facets of veterinary medicine but is of paramount importance. As part of the physical examination, your pet’s teeth will be checked for evidence of infection or trauma. Where necessary, we may recommend a dental prophy (cleaning). This is where your pet will be anesthetized to facilitate a proper oral examination including assessment of gingival pockets. It is at this point; we’ll contact you and discuss which teeth will either undergo a cleaning, extraction or restoration depending on the level of disease present. Dental radiography is available to assess individual areas of the mouth, check for cancerous changes as well as assess extractions or repairs.
Why Veterinary Dentistry is Important? You may have heard that it is possible to add two to four years to your pet's life with proper dental care. This is true, but you will also increase his or her health, vitality and well being. In short, proper dental care will help ensure your pet leads the best life possible.
However, if left untreated, dental disease can not only be painful and inhibit proper nutrition, but it can also lead to serious systemic issues that may threaten your pet's health before symptoms are noticeable. For example, oral bacteria that enter the bloodstream can damage your pet's kidneys, heart or liver.
Despite the importance of proper dental care, dental disease is often overlooked by many pet owners across the country. For example, it is estimated that more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats develop tooth and gum disease by the age of three years.
Simply stated, veterinary dental care is an important piece of your dog or cat's preventative health care program. It will not only prevent dental and systemic disease, but also help minimize the lifetime cost of care for your pet.
Dentistry is often one of the most overlooked facets of veterinary medicine but is of paramount importance. As part of the physical examination, your pet’s teeth will be checked for evidence of infection or trauma. Where necessary, we may recommend a dental prophy (cleaning). This is where your pet will be anesthetized to facilitate a proper oral examination including assessment of gingival pockets. It is at this point; we’ll contact you and discuss which teeth will either undergo a cleaning, extraction or restoration depending on the level of disease present. Dental radiography is available to assess individual areas of the mouth, check for cancerous changes as well as assess extractions or repairs.
You simply need to provide them with a few things:
The wrong kinds of food can cause dental distress in pets. Feeding your cat a dry food rather than a moist, canned one will, through its mild abrasive action on the teeth, help remove the bacterial plaque that can harden into tartar. Dry food also provides adequate chewing exercise and gum stimulation. Avoid giving your pet sweets and table scraps as they may also increase plaque and tartar formation. Your vet may recommend the use of special dry foods designed to reduce plaque and tartar buildup, especially if your pet is prone to dental problems due to his breed or individual genetic history.
Brushing your pet’s teeth
Cats need to have their teeth brushed in order to eliminate the dental plaque that can cause tooth decay and the formation of tartar, which can lead to gum disease. You should begin a regular, daily brushing routine as soon as you bring your new kitten home. Even older cats can be trained to accept having their teeth brushed. You simply need to introduce the activity gradually and make the experience a positive one for your pet. Reassure and praise him profusely throughout the process and reward him with a very special treat when it’s finished. Here’s how it can be done:
- A nutritious diet
- Chew treats
- Regular brushing at home
- Yearly dental checkups by a veterinarian
The wrong kinds of food can cause dental distress in pets. Feeding your cat a dry food rather than a moist, canned one will, through its mild abrasive action on the teeth, help remove the bacterial plaque that can harden into tartar. Dry food also provides adequate chewing exercise and gum stimulation. Avoid giving your pet sweets and table scraps as they may also increase plaque and tartar formation. Your vet may recommend the use of special dry foods designed to reduce plaque and tartar buildup, especially if your pet is prone to dental problems due to his breed or individual genetic history.
Brushing your pet’s teeth
Cats need to have their teeth brushed in order to eliminate the dental plaque that can cause tooth decay and the formation of tartar, which can lead to gum disease. You should begin a regular, daily brushing routine as soon as you bring your new kitten home. Even older cats can be trained to accept having their teeth brushed. You simply need to introduce the activity gradually and make the experience a positive one for your pet. Reassure and praise him profusely throughout the process and reward him with a very special treat when it’s finished. Here’s how it can be done:
Step 1
• Start by dipping a finger in tuna water or warm water.
• Rub this finger gently over your pet’s gums and one or two teeth.
• Repeat until your pet seems fairly comfortable with this activity.
Step 2
• Gradually, introduce a gauze-covered finger and gently scrub the teeth with a circular motion.
Step 3
• Then, you can begin to use a toothbrush, either an ultra-soft model designed for people (baby tooth-brushes work well for cats) or a special pet tooth-brush or finger brush, which is a rubber finger covering with a small brush built in at its tip.
Step 4
• Finally, once your pet is used to brushing, introduce the use of pet toothpaste in liquid or paste form. Most of these contain chlorhexidine or stannous fluoride – ask your veterinarian for his recommendations. Don’t use human toothpaste, as it can upset your pet’s stomach. Your veterinarian may also advise the use of an antiseptic spray or rinse after brushing.
Don’t forget a yearly dental checkup
Doing your best to ensure that your cat receives the proper diet and regular brushing at home will help maintain his teeth and gums in top condition. To provide optimum dental care at home, you need to start with a clean bill of dental health. That’s where your pet’s veterinarian comes in.
He will give your pet a thorough examination of the entire oral cavity to determine whether there are any underlying problems and, especially important, tartar buildup. Brushing removes plaque but not tartar, so if your pet’s teeth do have tartar, your veterinarian will have to remove it with a professional cleaning and polishing, usually accomplished under anaesthesia. After removing the tartar above and below the gum line, your veterinarian may treat your pet’s teeth with fluoride and will provide you with instructions for home care and follow-up.
A few tips:
- Chew treats, including hard meat-protein biscuits and rawhide chews for dogs, can help remove plaque, and provide stimulation for the gums.
- Watch out for wood – throwing sticks to dogs or letting your cat pick up a piece of wood with his mouth can result in splinters and gum damage.
- Don’t let your pet chew on hard materials like bones or stones. They can wear down, even break teeth, damage gums and lead to infection.
A few statistics:
- Kittens have their first 26 “milk” or deciduous teeth at 2 to 3 weeks of age. Their 30 permanent teeth begin erupting around 3 months.
- Cats have the fewest teeth of any common domestic mammal.
- Puppies develop their deciduous teeth at 2 weeks of age, with their 42 permanent teeth starting to appear at 3 months.