Anesthesis-free dentals for pet’s dental hygiene.
February 1st starts the beginning of National Pet Dental Health Month. Bad breath and discolored teeth are more harm to dogs and cats than most owners realize. Studies in dogs have shown oral disease causes changes to the kidneys, liver, and heart. Periodontal disease is one of the most commonly diagnosed health issues in dogs and cats, by three years of age. The best way to manage oral disease is by PREVENTION!
Periodontal disease begins in the mouth when bacteria form a substance that sticks to the teeth, called plaque. Minerals in the saliva harden the plaque and form tartar. Plaque and tartar will move under the gum line if not treated and damage the tissues that surround the tooth. This process causes inflammation, pain, and redness of the gums, and eventually loose teeth from the breakdown of the tissues and bone surrounding them. Bacteria that is in the mouth can enter the blood stream and “shower” all the organs in the body, causing the changes in the kidneys, liver, and heart.
Treatment of periodontal disease is based on the severity. In the early stages an anesthesia-free dental may be appropriate (available at EZ VET). The dogs and cats are not anesthetized, and they still receive a proper scaling and polishing. If the severity is moderate to severe, going under anesthesia is necessary to take radiographs to see what is going on under the gum line and to extract any teeth that can’t be saved. After either treatment, maintenance is a vital part of keeping your pets mouth healthy. There are several options that can help prevent periodontal disease and maintain a healthy mouth after treatment.
Again, the best way to manage periodontal disease is prevention, starting from an early age. There are many different types of products that work to prevent disease, including a liquid that you put in the drinking water, oral wipes you use to wipe the teeth, oral gel that goes on the teeth, dental treats, dental diets, dental rinse, and even a toothbrush with some toothpaste (made for dogs & cats, NOT human toothpaste!). Chewing on bones help remove the plaque but they can actually do more harm by breaking the teeth, especially in puppies. If you start brushing the teeth or wiping them with the dental wipes at an early age, they will learn to tolerate it; it’s harder to start when they are adults because they aren’t used to anyone going in their mouth. At Ez Vet, we have several options on hand that we can show you how to use, we can guide you with the store products, and we offer anesthesia free dentals. If you remember anything from this article, PREVENTION, PREVENTION, PREVENTION!