Dentistry

You are a responsible pet owner. You take good care of your pet. But do you always remember to take care of your pet's teeth?

Pets have dental diseases and problems just like you do. Many of these problems can be avoided by bringing your pet to your veterinarian for regular dental check-ups and dental cleanings.

Dental disease can be avoided

Does your pet have bad breath or reddened gums?

If so, it could be from gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when soft plaque hardens into rough, irritating tartar. Tartar build-up on your pet's teeth can cause damage to the teeth and gums.

If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to an infection called periodontal disease. This disease can cause the loss of teeth and bone recession in the mouth.

You can prevent serious dental problems from happening by making sure your pet receives dental exams at the time of each vaccination, again at six months of age, and then annually. Also, clues such as breath odor, difficulty chewing or excessive drooling in your pet should prompt a visit to the veterinarian for an oral exam.

Dental Cleanings

Your pet's dental cleaning will begin with a physical examination. This is important to evaluate your pet's general health. After the physical exam, your pet is given an anesthesia for a safe and painless sleep during the dental cleaning.

The first part of dental cleaning requires the removal of tartar. This is done with an ultrasonic scaler.

Next, the doctor uses a periodontal probe and checks for pockets under the gumline where periodontal disease and bad breath starts. A mechanical scaler is used to clean above the gumline while a curette cleans and smooths the teeth under the gumline in the crevice. At this time, the doctor determines if any additional problems are present. If so, a treatment plan is formulated and discussed with you.

Your pet's teeth are polished, creating a smooth surface. The gums are washed with an anti- bacterial solution to help delay tartar build-up both under the gumline and on the crown of the tooth.

Finally, a fluoride treatment is administered to strengthen your pet's teeth, to desensitize exposed roots, and to decrease infection.

Advanced Dentistry

South Hyland Pet Hospital was one of the first clinics in the state to offer advanced dental procedures for pets. Since 1986, South Hyland has performed procedures such as root canals (endodontics), orthodontic correction of functional bite problems, periodontal care and difficult tooth extractions. We maintain state-of-the-art equipment in order to provide comprehensive care for our own patients, as well as dental referrals from other local veterinarians. Our doctors annually attend the National Veterinary Dental Forum to maintain and advance our dental expertise. Whether your pet is in need of a simple dental cleaning or has more serious oral problems, South Hyland is proud to be able to provide tailored dental care.

Home prevention

Dental care does not end with a visit to your veterinarian, but rather begins with home care. Providing home dental care is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums for your pet. At South Hyland, we offer several ways for you to do this.

Brushing your pets teeth is the gold standard of home dental care. Just like it does for people, tooth brushing removes plaque on the tooth and below the gum line. We encourage all owners to try brushing, as many pets will enjoy this if done well. First, obtain a pet toothpaste. Human toothpaste is not acceptable for pet use, because it is not designed to be swallowed and may make your pet sick. Pet toothpaste, on the other hand, is pleasingly flavored for pets (tuna, poultry, etc) and can be safely ingested. You will also need a toothbrush. There are many pet-designed toothbrushes for different sized animals. Soft children's toothbrushes will also work. Once you have brush and paste, you are ready to begin. We recommend gradually introducing your pet to brushing. For several days in a row, simply feed a small amount of the toothpaste to your pet on your finger or the brush. This will get them used to the taste, and will have them looking forward to this "treat". Next, apply a small amount of paste to the brush and brush only one or two teeth. Repeat this for a few days, and then gradually build on this by adding a few teeth every few days until you are brushing the entire mouth. Animals generally buildup most of their tartar on the outer surfaces of their teeth, so this is the area to focus on most for brushing. Brushing should ideally be done daily for maximum benefit. Brushing less than 3-4 times weekly has little benefit. The staff at South Hyland would be happy to provide a brushing demonstration for you.

A Dental Sealant called Oravet exists for dogs and cats. The professional product is applied to the teeth after dental cleanings in the clinic, or to the new teeth of puppies or kittens at the time of spay or neuter. The professional application is then followed by a home care kit. Pet owners apply the home version or Oravet, a Vaseline-like substance, to the outside of the teeth once weekly until the next dental cleaning. Oravet is safe, inexpensive and easy to use given the once weekly schedule.

Dental diets are a newer concept in home dental care. Dental diets are not as effective as brushing in removing plaque, but can be a good alternative or supplement. Recent veterinary studies have proven that dental diets are successful in reducing plaque. Diets, if palatable, are convenient to use. Prescription Hills t/d food, available for dogs and cats from veterinarians, has been available the longest and is veterinary approved for dental care. T/d is a larger than normal kibble, and works by staying intact as the pet bites into it, and mechanically shearing plaque from the teeth. T/d can be used as a pet's entire diet, mixed with regular food, or used as treats. The more t/d is used, the more benefit your pet will gain from this diet. South Hyland offers samples of t/d for your pet to try. Other dental diets include Friskies Dental Diet for cats, and some of the Iams products which contain cleansing substances designed at cleaning plaque.

Chews are another form of dental care. C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews and C.E.T. HEXtra Chews are rawhide strips that carry dental enzymes which are released onto your pets teeth as he or she chews. This can help remove plaque. Dentees are another chew that aid in cleaning. They are starch based, hypoallergenic and designed by a veterinary dentist.

Oral rinses are available as supplement to the above home dental care opportunities.

As knowledge of the significance of dental care in animals' systemic health has developed, increasing numbers of products are becoming available to help you care for your pet's teeth. Some of these are proven dental products, and others are less effective. Many products carry labels that refer to freshening breath or teeth, but have no actual cleaning properties. South Hyland encourages you to discuss home dental care with us, so that we can help you to maximize your pet's oral health. Home care done diligently and correctly can decrease the frequency of professional dental cleanings needed.

Give your pet complete dental care

Annual veterinary dental care and home dental care will help keep your pet's breath fresh and gums and teeth healthy. Your pet's smile and healthier life will be equaled by your smile and pride in a job well done.