Advanced Care Dental Services

 

Dental Health is Critical to Your Pet’s Overall Health
   



The American Veterinary Dental Society reports that 80 percent of dogs and
70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three.

Dental disease is the most common health problem for dogs and cats.

 Although common and problematic for the pet, it often goes unidentified by the pet owner because more than 90 percent of dogs and cats with painful dental problems will not show any signs of being in pain.

At Advanced Care Pet Hospital, your pet’s routine exams include an oral exam.

Based on exam findings a recommendation will be given for how soon your pet should have a full dental prophylaxis.  In general, toy breed dogs and cats require dental cleanings at an earlier age than large breed dogs and frequently require more frequent cleanings as well.

Basic oral examinations can usually be completed on pets when they are awake.

However, in some cases, if the pet is not compliant for a thorough exam, a full assessment must either be made under a short acting sedative, or completed at the time of the dental.  Sixty percent of dental disease occurs below the gum line so there is always more than meets the eye. Dental radiographs may be needed to evaluate tooth roots.

After a professional cleaning is performed, home care plays an important role in maintaining good oral health.  Prophylactic care at home can be using pet toothpaste and one of several types of pet toothbrushes.

Additional options are also available and include: oral cleaning/disinfecting products, drinking water additives, and dental wipes.  The use of special chewie treats or feeding a dental specific diet can also help a great deal.  Our medical staff would be happy to discuss home dental care with you and find the best solution that will work with you and your pet.

GREAT NEWS FOR DOGS !

At Advanced Care Pet Hospital we have a dental vaccine available.

It is called a Porphyromonas vaccine and will protect your dog against the three most harmful types of bacteria that live in dog’s mouths.

It is recommended to start the vaccine when your dog is a puppy if the puppy is one of the breeds that are at high risk of dental disease.  The vaccine can also be started when your dog is an adult.  Your puppy or dog will receive a booster vaccine three weeks after the initial immunization and annually after that.

Puppy and Kitten Teeth

The baby teeth of puppies and kittens erupt at 3 to 6 weeks of age. Adult teeth replace these by 6 months of age and this will be their final set of teeth.
 
Even though the baby teeth will be replaced, it is important to start working with their mouth as part of their basic training.  Your pet should be trained to allow you to lift up its lips and look in its mouth.  By learning to have its muzzle handled when a puppy or kitten, then you will have an easier time when you do need to check your pet’s mouth or brush teeth once your pet has become an adult.
 
Retained or Persistent Deciduous (baby) teeth, also sometimes called supernumerary,  is a very common condition in Toy Breed dogs.  If your puppy still has baby teeth present at the time of the spay or neuter and if the adult teeth are at least half way in, the deciduous teeth should  be removed at the same time of surgery as there is a good chance that they will not fall out on their own.

Extra teeth in your pet’s mouth can result in misaligned adult teeth and gum disease from the teeth being set tightly together and trapping food and other material.

Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis)

Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis) is a common preventative procedure in dogs and cats. Just like us, they are susceptible to gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Animals feel the same pain of sore gums and a toothache that we feel.  One of
the main reasons to care for your pet's teeth is to prevent pain.

Your pet may not outwardly show any symptoms of disease, however, you may notice any of the following:   Bad breath, drooling, difficulty chewing or eating, vomiting, red, swollen or bleeding gums, brownish-yellow calculus (tartar) on teeth, receded gums, loose or missing teeth.

The best defense against plaque is regular brushing at home in combination with professional scaling and polishing.

At Advanced Care Pet Hospital, a Dental Prophylaxis will include the following:

Pre-anesthetic Physical Examination

A thorough physical exam including: coat, skin, ears, joints, heart, lungs and abdominal palpation.

Pre-anesthetic Blood Work

This includes a comprehensive internal organ function evaluation and a complete blood count. Organ Function Safety Profile ensures the testing of the organs

Anesthesia Service

Your pet will be given quick acting, injectible pre-anesthesic agent.  This will be followed by an anesthetic induction with IV Propoflo.  Then your pet will have an Endotracheal tube placed to provide an unobstructed airway.

We use only Sevo gas anesthesia for anesthetic maintenance. It is the same as is used in human pediatrics.  Your pet is monitored with an EKG and with a pulse oximeter for oxygenation monitoring.

Body Temperature, Heart Rate and Respirations are closely monitored.  After the procedure is completed, your pet will be transferred into recovery where monitoring will continue until your pet is able to sit up.

The Prophylactic (Cleaning) Procedure

Includes tooth by tooth assessment and recording of any abnormalities.  Hand scaling including subgingival scaling is performed.  Ultrasonic Scaling.  Polishing of Teeth.  Fluoride treatment.

Oral Exam

While under anesthesia your pets mouth is checked for any growths or lesions.

Extractions

Teeth can be a functional “asset” or if they are non-functional they are considered a “liability”. It is important to remember that a loose tooth is a painful tooth.   Some teeth are more important than others and are sometimes referred to as “strategic teeth”.

Some teeth can be extracted fairly simply and other teeth, such as the carnasal teeth require sectioning of the teeth and creation of a gingival flap. 
Other teeth, such as the upper canines, require suturing of the open socket area so that communication does not occur up into the sinus area.  All sutures are dissolvable.

Consultation

Our initial consultation will allow us to let you know what is likely to be expected benefits, cost, and specific procedures for your pet as well as prognosis and any risks.  If we are able to contact you during the procedure, additional recommended diagnostics or treatments can be performed at the time the problem is found and avoid a second anesthetic procedure.

Radiographs

A dental radiograph (x-ray) may be recommended.  Radiographs  can,  for example,  evaluate structural bone quality, abscesses, tooth remnants, retained or impacted teeth.  It is also sometimes used post-extraction to be sure that all tooth portions have been removed and that the surrounding bone is healthy.

Therapy

Oral antibiotics and/or pain medication may be prescribed for your pet.

Home Care Instructions

Recommendations and complete instructions and what to be expected after the procedure will be explained and also go home with your pet.

Brushing Training

Start within a day or two of bringing your new pet home.   When playing with your pet do not let your pet nibble at your hand or fingers, even softly in play.  Allowing this behavior can lead to aggressive biting as your pet gets older.   Pet the muzzle with your finger.

Start at the one side of the nose and rub your fingers along the muzzle and whiskers, then work do the same on the other side.   This may be as far as you will get the first day or two.   Be sure to only go as far as you can successfully.

Build each day on the previous day's success. You may only be able to put your hand on the muzzle the first day or two. This is fine, just remember to go slow and make it fun and part of the play you do with your pet.

Use lots of praise and even a treat, if that helps. After your pet is used to the top muzzle (maxilla) being handled, start "petting" the bottom muzzle (mandible). Start in the front and rub your finger along each side. Get up close to the lips.  If your pet does nibble or nip, stop your "brushing" training and say, "NO!" firmly, then resume the petting gently.

It is important to do this every day. Only then will it become a habit and part of your pet's daily life. It is actually easier to do it daily than every other day, or weekly, or monthly. By doing it daily, your pet looks forward to it and will train you to remember it.  Some pets actually come running for the attention when they see the toothbrush.

Gradually, you will be able to "pet" the gums with your finger or a soft bristled toothbrush or a finger brush. This should only take 30 seconds. Try to put your finger along the gums to the last molars (below the eye). By 6 months of age, your pet should be so used to having its mouth, teeth, and gums handled that brushing those new white adult teeth will be easy.

We have a variety of different types of brushes available.  There are traditional small toothbrush types as well as finger brushes that slip over your finger.  You will need to use a toothpaste designed for pets.   These are flavored to pet’s tastes, are non-foaming, and fluoride-free (since pets cannot spit out the paste).

Another reason NOT to use a human toothpaste is that they can contain Xylitol, a sweeter that is toxic to pets.