Gum Line | Treaschwig Veterinary Clinic

Periodontal Disease and Your Dog

January 23, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

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Dental disease can be found in 85% of pets over the age of 3. Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease and if left untreated can cause tooth loss and cause damage to all the major organs, heart, liver, kidney and brain. Untreated dental disease can shorten your pet’s life span by 3 years.

So what is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease begins with plaque build up on the surface of your dog’s tooth. Just like in humans, the plaque starts as a biofilm of bacteria mixed with food particles and saliva. If this film is not removed, it eventually layers into what is known as tartar.

The tartar begins to mineralize and the bacteria begin to infect the gum causing gingivitis. As the tartar continues to build up, it works it’s way beneath the gum causing the gum line to recede. Eventually, the infection continues to spread and will loosen the attachment of the tooth and tooth loss will occur.

Besides the tooth loss, the gum infection also begins to shower the dog’s blood stream with tiny bits of bacteria. These bacteria will begin to settle in all the major organs, especially the mitral valve of the heart and in the kidneys. This can lead to congestive heart failure and kidney failure and ultimately the untimely death of your pet.

So what can I do to prevent dental disease?

Start with getting your pet used to having his teeth brushed at an early age. Just like in humans, plaque replaces itself every 12 hours, so optimally, your pet’s teeth should be brushed twice a day. Do not use human toothpaste, the fluoride could be swallowed by your pet and cause toxicity. Use toothpaste that is designed and flavored just for pets. I know that brushing your pet’s teeth is hard to do, but brushing really helps keep their mouth healthy.

Also available are special diets such as Hill’s t/d to mechanically remove the tartar and keep the pet’s teeth clean. There are also enzymatically treated chews, such as greenies and C.E.T. chews that can help remove the plaque and tartar.

There are also dental oral rinses and Breathalyser water additives to help with oral hygiene.

Once tartar is formed on your pet’s teeth, your veterinarian will need to scale and polish your pet’s teeth under anesthesia to remove the tartar that is beneath the gum line. Once removed, it is up to you to practice good dental care with your pet with daily brushing and other dental products to keep the mouth healthy.

Filed Under: Featured Dog Articles, Pet Health Tagged With: Biofilm, Blood Stream, Cause Toxicity, Congestive Heart Failure, Dental Disease, Food Particles, Gingivitis, Greenies, Gum Infection, Gum Line, Heart Failure, Kidney Failure, Kidneys, Life Span, Mitral Valve, Periodontal Disease, Special Diets, Tiny Bits, Tooth Loss, Tvet, Untimely Death

Caring for Your Cat’s Teeth

July 29, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

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We all know how important good dental hygiene is for our own health, but many cat owners are unaware that this is true for their pets too. Dental disease is one of the most common preventable illnesses in pets, affecting more than 75% of dogs and cats over three years of age. Infections of the teeth and gums can cause pain, loose teeth, and damage to internal organs like the kidneys and heart. All of this can be avoided by practicing proper dental care techniques. Caring%20for%20Your%20Cat%27s%20Teeth Caring for Your Cats Teeth

Dental Disease in Cats
The term dental disease includes a variety of ailments. The most common of these is periodontitis. Plaque, a soft mixture of bacteria, food, and saliva accumulates on your cats teeth, especially near the gums. The plaque hardens to become tartar. The plaque and tartar irritate the tissues around the tooth and its root. This starts out as gingivitis (reddened gums). Infections and abscesses develop around the tooth, resulting in bad breath, bleeding, pain, and tooth loss. Infected, bleeding gums allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body, damaging the kidneys and heart.

Another common condition in cats is Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORLs). This is a big word for kitty cavities that occur on the sides of the teeth, near the gum line. They cause the tooth to erode, exposing the pulp to infection or causing the tooth to break. They are also associated with severe inflammation of the gums. Unlike cavities in people, the cause of FORLs is not well understood. Fluoride may have a preventive benefit. If your cat develops a kitty cavity your veterinarian will advise you about the necessary treatment and care, which may include tooth restoration or extraction.

Dental Examinations
Each time your cat has a routine physical examination, your veterinarian will check his teeth and gums. He is looking for buildup of plaque or tartar, reddened gums (gingivitis), bleeding, broken teeth, and other problems. Your cat should receive a dental exam at least once or twice a year. If you notice problems like breath odor, drooling, or difficulty eating, he should be examined right away. The sooner that dental disease is identified and treated, the better the outcome.

Professional Care
Most cats require professional dental cleanings and periodontal care periodically. If your veterinarian detects signs of gingivitis or tartar accumulation during the exam, he will recommend a professional cleaning in order to halt the progress of periodontal disease.

Your cat will receive anesthesia for the dental cleaning. All surfaces of the tooth will be carefully cleaned, even below the gum line. The teeth will be polished to discourage deposition of new plaque. Fluoride or other preventive treatments may be applied. Because your cat is asleep, his mouth can be inspected carefully for signs of additional problems. The professional cleaning is the only way to stop the progress of periodontal disease once tartar has formed.

Treats, Chews, and Other Products
A variety of products are marketed to help keep your cats teeth clean at home. These include dental care diets, plaque reducing treats and toys, and solutions that are applied to your cats mouth. Check with your veterinarian before using these products, because some may be unsafe or may interfere with other treatments your cat is receiving. Also, remember that although these products may be of some benefit, there is no substitute for daily tooth brushing.

Debra Garrison, DVM

Filed Under: Cat Health, Featured Cat Articles Tagged With: Abscesses, Array, Bleeding Gums, Broken Teeth, Cat Owners, Cavities, Dental Disease, Dental Exam, Dental Examinations, Dental Hygiene, Dogs And Cats, Gum Line, Inflammation Of The Gums, Internal Organs, Loose Teeth, Necessary Treatment, Own Health, Preventable Illnesses, Proper Dental Care, Routine Physical Examination, Teeth And Gums, Tooth Loss, Tooth Restoration, Tvet

Dental Health Care for your Pet

June 13, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

Your pet’s dentistry will improve your pet’s health by removing the plaque, tartar and bacteria inside of your pet’s mouth. You will notice better breath.
When your pet comes in the hospital for his/her dentistry, we will examine your pet for any other underlying problems and we recommend a complete blood count and blood profile to screen the internal organs for any problems. Your pet will then be sedated and an IV catheter placed to administer fluids to maintain blood pressure and medication administration during the anesthesia. Your pet is on an oxygen machine with inhalant anesthesia and monitored by a pulse oximeter. The mouth is then examined for tumors and the extent of dental disease. Dental radiographs can be taken to examine the roots and problems beneath the gum line. The teeth are then cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler. Very loose or severely infected teeth are extracted. Deep periodontal pockets are then infused with an antibiotic gel. The teeth are then polished with a special paste, treated with a flouride foam and finished with Oravet dental sealant. Your pet is also given an antibiotic injection and depending on the severity of dental disease and any extractions a post-operative pain injection. Your pet will be sent home with a follow-up round or antibiotics, and if necessary, pain medication. Oravet is also recommended for you to apply to your pet’s teeth weekly to reduce the amount of plaque returining to your pet’s teeth. Home dental care is vital to maintain a healthy mouth.
Home dental care includes daily brushing, special chews such as CET and Greenies, dental diet, oral rinses, and Oravet. Please ask our staff for suggestions that both you and your pet will accept.