Dental Care

Did you know that poor oral health could lead to heart disease? Or kidney disease?
It's true! Plaque is full of bacteria, and if it is allowed to remain on the teeth, the bacteria get into your pet's bloodstream and damage cells in their heart, kidneys, liver and/or lungs. This causes serious health concerns as your pet ages. Maintaining good oral health in your pets will help them to live a long and healthy life. This month we will discuss the stages of periodontal disease and what you can do to help control this serious problem.

Plaque is a soft film that forms on your teeth all the time (even now as you read this newsletter). It is a combination of saliva, food particles, and naturally occurring bacteria. If it is not removed, it hardens into tartar (or calculus). As we brush our teeth, we remove most of the accumulation of plaque. We also visit our dentist twice a year to have the dental hygienist remove the tartar. If the tartar is allowed to remain on the teeth, it begins to irritate the gingiva (or gum). This condition is called gingivitis. There are 3 stages of gingivitis:

These stages are a natural progression of the gingival tissue's response to the irritation caused by the bacteria laden tartar. A specialized group of blood cells called lymphocytes are called into action against the offending tartar, but they cannot win the battle on their own. The bacterial load is too great. The gum's next response is to pull back, but the tartar won't stop. Like an invading army, the bacteria work their way down the roots of the tooth and into the bone, finally resulting in tooth loss. This whole process is also painful

Periodontal Disease-What happen when gingivitis goes untreated?

Gingivitis is a defense mechanism. The gum tissue is offended (or irritated) by plaque and tartar and the heavy load of bacteria they contain. It responds by releasing lymphocytes, a specialized group of cells that fight infection. But the bacterial load is so great that these cells are unable to overcome them. The continuing battle causes edema (swelling) and finally, gum recession. As the infection worsens the bacteria work their way down along the periodontal ligament, destroying it and the surrounding bone as it goes. Finally, the tooth falls out. This whole process is very painful; however many pet owners do not realize what is happening because pets are very good at hiding pain.

Home Care-teach your pet to allow oral care

What can you do to prevent dental disease?
There are several approaches to prevention of dental disease. A combination of these techniques will give you the best results but anything you can do will help slow the accumulation of plaque and tartar.

Daily tooth brushing – This is the most effective way to reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar. Most commonly, once your pet is accustomed to the tooth brushing process, they really look forward to getting their teeth brushed. Rinse – Rinses that are formulated specifically for plaque control do a good job of reducing the number of bacteria in the plaque. And since bacteria are the primary offending factor in plaque, daily rinsing will reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar.

Chew – Several manufacturers have developed treats and diets that help control plaque. They can work in two different ways. First, an antibacterial product is added to the diet or the chew treat that, as the pet chews, reduce the number of bacteria in the plaque. Second, the treat or diet is constructed in such a manner that biting into it literally scrapes the plaque off the teeth. Regular cat and dog food does not have the unique structure necessary to achieve that purpose.

Barrier Sealant – OraVet is waxy-like product that you apply to your pet’s teeth once a week. It provides a barrier against the attachment of plaque. Since it is only used weekly and is easy to do, it is a great addition to our home care line of products.

Conclusion

Here at Chelmsford Animal Hospital we see a wide range of problems. From younger pets with mild tartar buildup to gingivitis, periodontal disease, fractured teeth or maloccluded teeth. Whatever the condition, treatment is needed to relieve pain and help protect normal function of vital organs. We've seen emaciated pets gain weight and lethargic pets gain energy. We've seen pets become like puppies or kittens again in their daily activity level after undergoing treatment for oral diseases. Because of their ability to disguise pain, their owners are often quite surprised (and pleased) to see the change in their pet. It is very rewarding for us to hear of the complete turn around in a pet's attitude after they've undergone treatment at our hospital. But, that said, we'd love to not see so many problems. Good home care can decrease the problems caused by periodontal disease and increase the time between professional cleanings. And most importantly, good oral care, from home care to veterinary care, will add to your pet's comfort and enjoyment of life.  Call us today to set up your pet’s oral exam and dental cleaning.