Like their humans, pets need regular dental examinations and teeth cleanings. Yearly pet exams at Whitworth Animal Clinic include a thorough inspection of teeth and gums because Dr. Whitworth and Dr. Rice know good dental health is vitally important to the overall well-being of our canine and feline friends.
Sometimes we neglect our pet’s teeth without really meaning to. The most common symptom of a pet in need of dental care is bad breath, which is mostly ignored by pet owners. From there the symptoms only worsen when chewing becomes painful and teeth are loose or gone. By that time it is too late to save teeth, cleaning is not beneficial. Unfortunately, diseases of the mouth can affect other parts of the pet’s body; the kidney, liver, and heart are also weakened. When these organs are damaged, the pet’s life span is shortened.
Why Pets Need Vet Cleanings – Dogs Most Known for Dental Health Issues
If you have a puppy or kitten, make sure visit with Whitworth Animal Clinic in Madison, AL, include a discussion about your pet’s teeth and your role in keeping them healthy. Many pet breeds are particularly prone to dental problems. According to the I Love Dogs website, the top 10 dog breeds prone to dental disease are:
- Pugs
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Sheltie
- Chihuahua
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Greyhound
- Dachshund
- Maltese
- Chinese Crested
- Poodle
Periodontal Disease is the Most Common Health Condition in Pets
It Can Be Prevented
Periodontal issues begin when bacteria and food particles form plaque, a soft, sticky, whitish mat-like film attached to tooth surfaces. Within days, plaque and saliva combine to form tartar, a hard, crusty deposit on the teeth, consisting of food, cellular debris, and mineral salts. Tartar looks like a brownish-gold buildup on the teeth at the gum line. Then the bacteria works its way under the gums and causes inflammation. This condition is known as gingivitis. Redness or bleeding along the gum line may indicate gingivitis. From there the disease progresses and the bacteria under the gums breaks down the tissue around the teeth. Eventually periodontitis sets in and the pet’s teeth become loose and fall out. Together, gingivitis and periodontitis are known as periodontal disease. Tooth loss can be painful for the pet and unhealthy since it interferes with eating. This can be a real health hazard, especially for senior pets.
Why Pets Need Vet Cleanings – The Importance of Professional Teeth Cleaning for Your Pet
Why Pets Need Vet Cleanings? There is no substitute for a professional dental cleaning. It’s the only way to remove tartar from your pet’s teeth and gum tissue. Gingivitis is reversible, but periodontal disease is not. Regular professional cleanings and home care will slow the progress of periodontal disease.
To conduct a cleaning, a trained and experienced technician places your pet under general anesthesia. Your pet remains pain-free during the procedure while the vet examines his/her mouth and removes all the plaque and tarter from the teeth and under the gums. The benefits of teeth cleaning far outweigh any risks posed by anesthesia.
A thorough dental cleaning allows the us to inspect, treat, and chart important information about your pet’s dental health. Besides removing plaque and tartar, the procedure includes:
- Polishing the teeth to smooth enamel scratches that may attract bacteria
- X-rays to evaluate problems below the gum line
- Application of fluoride or a dental sealer
- Removing or repairing fractured or infected teeth
- Dental charting for monitoring purposes
Inspection of the lips, tongue, and entire mouth for growths, wounds, or other problems
Key Dental Statistics
Only 30 percent of pet owners schedule professional dental cleanings for their pets, even though up to 85 percent of pets show signs of dental disease by age three.
Cost and lack of a direct recommendation are the top reasons the other 70% skip the procedure. The veterinarians at Whitworth Animal Clinic try and keep their charges low but they must perform the procedure of your pet under general anestheesia to safely clean under the gun line.
At Whitworth Animal Clinic we take your pets’ oral health very seriously. As part of your pet’s annual wellness check Dr. Whitworth or Dr. Rice will do an oral exam, and check for any periodontal disease and abnormalities. They will then make recommendations for treatment and prevention, such as at-home dental care or professional complete oral health and treatment.
Together with your help we can treat and prevent periodontal disease to enable your fur babies to live a healthy, happy life.
