Dental Disease

Dr. Heather Manfredi

Dental care in your pets will ensure a longer, healthier life.  Teeth are in direct communication with the environment, internal bone structure and blood supply of your pet.  Early gingivitis, plaque and tartar build up, or even odor may be some of the reasons your veterinarian reveals to suggest that your pet needs to have a dental cleaning and full mouth exam while under anesthesia.

Question:  I have a puppy; surely he doesn’t need to have “dental exams” at his age, does he?
Yes, even puppies require frequent exams while their permanent teeth are erupting to ensure proper expulsion of deciduous, or baby, teeth.  Many small breeds, such as Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Dachshund puppies may retain their Canine teeth.  These are the large fang-like teeth that may be retained.  When a puppy has retained teeth, they can harbor more plaque, bacteria, hair and ultimately calculus causing severe periodontal disease.  It is recommended that your puppy have his/her teeth checked again between and 8-10 months old to make sure all teeth have erupted normally.

Question:  My veterinarian has recommended dental cleanings for my pet.  My veterinarian says he needs to go under anesthesia for the procedure, is this necessary?
Yes, anesthesia is necessary for proper examination and cleaning of the teeth of both dogs and cats.  When a dog or cat receives a dental cleaning they are anesthetized and intubated to ensure proper care of their airway while using the ultrasonic scaler and polishers.  Many dogs may require dental cleaning periodically throughout their life.  This will depend entirely on your individual dog’s microflora and/or his gingival response to the flora. 

Question:  My cat has eaten hard crunchies all his life.  I was told that this would prevent dental disease in my cat.  Is this true? Can my cat still get dental disease?
Yes, hard food and dental treat can help decrease the rate at which dental disease progresses, but it rarely is completely preventative.  Cats may be more difficult for owners to appreciate dental disease without a veterinarian displaying the changes in the teeth to them during an exam.  Dental disease in cats can advance very quickly and cause the gums and surrounding tissues to become so inflamed that the body reacts to the tooth as a foreign body.  This process of resorbing and walling off the infected tooth can cause pain to the cat.  These teeth must be dealt with in a timely manner to reduce the discomfort of the kitty and the likelihood that they may fracture. 

Question: How often should I have my pet’s teeth examined? Are there health risks to dental disease?
Annual health exams of your dog and cat are recommended to evaluate your pets’ mouth and physical state.  Not only are the teeth extremely important, but the other soft tissues of the mouth can become a health concern. Oral cancers of the mouth can be detected early in their disease process during a dental cleaning and exam.  Also, dental disease can precipitate infection of other organs and systems, such as the heart, nasal passages and kidneys.  Having annual blood work to evaluate the health of these systems can help provide us, and you, with the best information to ensure your pet a long and healthy life.