Dental disease is preventable and treatable when addressed early
Published in the Jan. 22, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
Don’t ignore your pet’s bad breath. It can be an indicator of significant disease. There are steps that can be taken to both treat and prevent dental disease. February is National Pet Dental Health Month and seems like a good time to discuss your pet’s oral health.
Periodontal disease is very common in dogs and cats. Food particles, saliva and bacteria collect on the tooth surface and form into soft plaque. Over time, the plaque hardens and becomes mineralized onto the tooth surface and will begin to harbor even more bacteria. This becomes a source of inflammation and leads to gingivitis. These changes to the gum and tooth’s supportive tissues are called periodontal disease. With increasing inflammation, the gingiva (gum tissue) begins to recede and bad breath often becomes noticeable. This type of mild to moderate periodontal disease is often reversible with appropriate dental care.
As the disease progresses, bacteria begin to affect the deeper ligaments and structure providing stability to the tooth. It can also lead to exposed and abscessed tooth roots as well as infection and loss of jaw bone. Once the tooth attachments have been damaged, the changes are irreversible and will lead to loss of the tooth.
Many pets have mild to moderate periodontal disease by age four. Unfortunately, a large number of pets already have severe and irreversible changes by the time we vets see them. These pets often end up needing extensive dental work and may need multiple teeth removed.
Dental disease is a very preventable and treatable condition when addressed in the early stages. Ideally, pets should have their teeth brushed daily to prevent plaque accumulation and preserve gum health. The best time to start brushing your pet’s teeth is as a puppy or kitten when they have a normal mouth and the brushing can become routine. In adult animals, it can be more difficult to develop the routine and may require a little more diligence. Routine brushing is the most effective means for maintaining dental health. There are many dental products available to aid in oral health, including dental chews and bones and enzymatic cleaners. Although there may be some benefits to these products, nothing will work as well as good old-fashioned brushing.
Pets that already have dental disease require a veterinary cleaning and evaluation under general anesthesia. Because the tartar has already become mineralized onto the tooth surface, brushing and other product will not be effective. In addition, the teeth need to be evaluated since it may be more involved than a simple cleaning. Anesthesia-free cleanings are not an effective means of treating dental disease. Although they may help the teeth look better and decrease bad breath, they do not address the changes below the gum line that so often lead to tooth and bone loss. A proper cleaning and evaluation cannot be performed on an awake animal. We often see patients who have been using anesthesia-free cleanings on a regular basis that have such severe disease below the gumline that they need to have multiple teeth removed.
If you think your pet may be showing signs of dental disease, have your veterinarian evaluate your pet’s teeth. Indications of disease may include:
• Bad breath
• Visible accumulation of plaque/tartar or brownish discoloration of the teeth
• Reluctance to eat hard food
• Frequent pawing at face
• Reddened or bleeding gums
• Facial swelling
During National Pet Dental Health month, many veterinarians will offer discounted dental services. Dental health is an important part of your pet’s overall health. Proper maintenance is essential for good oral health and should be started early in life. Preventing periondontal disease will improve your pet’s health and help avoid costly dental procedures.
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay received her undergraduate degrees in Biology, Biochemistry and Spanish from the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, then graduated from U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with an emphasis in Mixed Animal Medicine. Raised in the Bay Area, she returned to continue practicing. Outside of the profession, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children.
