85 % of pets have periodontal disease by the age of 3. Perio means around and dontal means tooth. Therefore disease around the teeth. The teeth can be also be affected. There are various severities of periodontal disease.  

THE TOOTH AND DENTAL DISEASE

The crown of the tooth sits above the gum line. The roots are seated in sockets in the bone of the jaw (alveolar bone). There is a ligament called the periodontal ligament that attaches or holds the root to the bone. The outer covering of the crown of the tooth is called the enamel. A calcified connective tissue called cementum covers the root of the tooth. Inside of the tooth is the dentin where the blood vessels or nutrient supply and nerves to the teeth are located.

The enamel is bathed in saliva. The enamel quickly starts to get covered by saliva with bacteria (plague). The plaque then mineralizes into tartar or calculus. This helps set of an environment for more bacterial growth. The growth of the bacteria and other causes starts to lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is damage to the gums, periodontal ligament, and bone around the tooth. The tooth itself can also start to become diseased or damaged.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CLEAN THE TEETH?

Cleaning the teeth helps to minimize the disease locally in the mouth. It helps prolong the health and therefore the life of the teeth. The bacterial growth that is found in periodontal disease can be seeded or spread to other areas of the body. This can lead to infections in other areas of the body.

Some of the main organs that we are concerned about getting infected can include the heart, liver, or kidneys. The bacteria can be transferred to anywhere in the body that blood is pumped to. Cleaning the teeth can therefore play an important part in your pets over all health.

PRE-DENTAL AND DURING THE DENTAL

The pet has lab work (complete blood count and chemistry profile) done prior to the dentistry. An IV catheter is placed and IV fluids given to the pet during anesthesia. An induction agent (usually propofol) is used to sedate the dog or cat to allow intubation (inserting a tube into the trachea). This allows gas anesthesia (Isoflurane)  for the rest of the procedure(s). Monitoring the pet while under anesthesia consist of the following. ECG or EKG (measures heart rate, rhythm and monitors for arrhythmias), SpO2 monitor (measures oxygen concentration), blood pressure, respiratory monitor (monitors respiratory rate).  

DENTAL PROPHYLAXIS

The main components of the dentistry or cleaning of your pet’s teeth are listed below:

• Oral examine to look for dental and non dental disease in the oral cavity.
• Gross (visible) tartar is removed from the teeth with various instruments.
• Ultrasonic descaling of the teeth to help remove remaining tartar.
• Periodontal sockets are probed to assess periodontal disease.
• The roots are planed (scraping tartar below the gum line mechanically). This is done until the roots are smooth.
• Extractions of teeth are done if they are needed.
• Polishing the enamel.
• Fluoride sealer is applied.

We feel that the health of your pets teeth is a very important part of your pets overall health. We would be glad to discuss this with you.