An examination by the doctor
may reveal the need for a dental cleaning because of tartar build-up and even severe gum and periodontal
disease. Occasionally, the extraction of teeth is required. Most pets
will require dental work at some time during their lives.
What
are the benefits of having my dog or cat's teeth cleaned?
Imagine what your
teeth would look like and how you would feel if you never brushed or
flossed! Dogs and cats develop tartar, gum
disease and periodontal disease just like we do. Regular brushing at home, chew toys and hard food can make
a small difference in the condition of the mouth if the teeth are
clean to begin with, but once the tartar and gum disease is present, the
only way to get the mouth healthy again is to have a complete dental
cleaning and treatment performed.
If your dog or cat has bad breath, there's a good chance that it is
related to a dental problem. In addition, dental tartar and gum
disease, if left untreated, can effect other parts of the body such as the
heart and lungs, leading to more serious health problems. Some
animals, particularly small breed dogs and some cats, will build up tartar
on the teeth very quickly and should have a cleaning done every year or
two. Larger dogs usually don't need dental work as often. If
your animal is over three-years-old and has never had a cleaning, you should
have a veterinarian check his or her mouth and evaluate the need for any
dental work.
What
is involved in this dental procedure?
General Anesthesia.
Your pet will be given general anesthesia for this procedure so they will
not feel any pain or discomfort and so that we can thoroughly clean the
teeth.
Teeth Scaling. Large, thick tartar build-up is scaled using
standard dental instruments. Tartar under the gums and in between
teeth is removed with an ultrasonic scaler which uses water and sound
waves to break up the tartar.
Polishing. After scaling, the teeth must be polished.
Ultrasonic scaling leaves tiny, microscopic scratches in the teeth where
tartar can build up almost immediately. Polishing the teeth with a
fluoride paste removes these scratches and is a necessary part of any
dental cleaning.
Extractions? Yes, sometimes these are necessary.
Unfortunately, by the time we get a chance to do any dental work on some
animals, it is too late to save some of the teeth. We will do
everything possible to salvage any teeth that can be saved. In some
rare cases, we have had to remove all of the teeth from the mouth!
Hopefully your dog or cat won't be this bad, but even if there are some
teeth that need to come out, the animal should be able to eat and drink
normally after just a few days.
Medication? Along with tartar build-up, many dogs and cats have
gums that are infected and bleeding as well. In some cases we
recommend that your pet begin an antibiotic for a few days prior to
having the dentistry performed, and continue for a week or so afterward.
Home Care. After the teeth are cleaned, it will benefit your
pet to have some regular form of treatment at home to help prevent further
problems. If your pet will allow you to brush his or her teeth every
few days, you can purchase a toothbrush and some flavored toothpaste
(don't use regular human toothpaste). Another good option is a
prescription diet which will actually scale the teeth as it is
chewed. Many diets claim to do this, but the prescription version is
much, much better than any you can buy in the store, and not much more in
cost. You can talk to any staff member about this unique diet.
When
do we perform dental procedures?
We perform dental
cleanings Tuesday
through Thursday only. Dentals ARE DONE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. For all
procedures we need to have your pet in
the office at 7:30 a.m. Please allow about 10 minutes to complete the
surgery authorization form and stay with your pet if needed until we begin
the procedure. If these hours don't fit with
your schedule, we can sometimes make other arrangements.
On the day of
the dental, we will perform the
procedure in the morning and your pet will be ready to go home the same
evening. Overnight stays are usually not necessary. Please
call our office to schedule an appointment or contact
us if you have any other questions.
