Ask the Vet: Your Pets Teeth

The Newsy Neighbour

January Issue #111

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Article provided by:Animal Care Centre of Strathmore

“Why, Mr. Wolf, what BIG teeth you have…”

“All the better to BITE you with, DOCTOR!”

It’s that time of year again - when our Veterinarians try their best to examine their patient’s teeth, all while avoiding getting chomped in the process! Examination of animal’s mouths can be quite a daunting task, and often cannot be completed without sedation. In fact, a complete intraoral examination of the teeth and gums, including x-rays and dental probing around each tooth, is not possible unless the patient is under general anesthetic. A tooth may look okay at first glance, but probing routinely reveals pockets and other abnormalities exacerbating dental disease in cats and dogs. The process of probing below the gum line can be uncomfortable for the pet, and this is why they will often not sit still, and anesthesia has to be used.

Dentistry in companion animals is very similar to humans. A scaler is used to clean the teeth and remove tartar build up. Subgingival cleaning is also performed to remove bacteria hiding under the gum line. Tartar is composed of bacteria and eventually it hardens over time. This accumulation of fossilized bacteria cannot be removed with a toothbrush, and a scaler needs to be used to re-establish healthy teeth and gums. Once the tartar is removed, the teeth can then be properly evaluated for grade of periodontal disease, and extractions can be performed if necessary. A fluoride treatment at the end of the procedure helps to desensitize exposed dentin, strengthen tooth enamel, inhibit plaque formation and stimulate re-mineralization of the tooth enamel.

So what should you look for in order to determine whether or not your pet is in need of a dental cleaning? An examination is key, as a veterinarian can open the pet’s mouth and note anything obviously abnormal. Annual dental cleanings are always recommended for thorough evaluation of the teeth, but some obvious signs of disease can include bad breath, if your pet is only chewing food on one side of the mouth (or not chewing at all), drooling, aggression, pawing at the face (a sign of pain), and facial swelling/abscesses. Brown build up on the teeth is another notable sign that periodontal disease may be present.

Join us for Dental Month in February and receive 10% off your pet’s dental procedure! For more questions or information contact the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore at 403-901-1800. Spaces are booking up quickly, so call to avoid disappointment!