February was officially established as National Pet Dental Health Month in 1993 by the AVDS, the American Veterinary Dental College and the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry.  Hancock Animal Hospital is offering 2 dental months- in February and October (20% off dental costs) in an effort to increase public awareness of the dangers of periodontal disease.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY PET HAS A DENTAL? 

When your pet is admitted to the hospital for a dental cleaning, it is usually after a recent physical exam that indicated that your pet had some level of periodontal disease, plaque accumulation or gingivitis. Studies have shown that 85% of all dogs and cats over one year old have some degree of periodontal disease.  Imagine what our mouths would look like if we never brushed!!

Your pet usually needs pre-anesthetic bloodwork prior to the dental procedure. This gives the veterinarian a look at your animal's liver and kidney function, as well as screens, for other blood disorders. This is important to be able to evaluate what anesthesia protocol to use and how your pet may do under general anesthesia.

All patients having a dental performed have an intravenous catheter and are placed on IV fluids. They are monitored with a multitude of monitoring equipment, including an ECG, Pulse Ox, esophageal stethoscope and blood pressure. They are placed under general anesthesia during the dental.  

The supragingival (above the gumline) plaque and tartar are removed using special calculus forceps, hand instruments, and human grade ultrasound scaling equipment.  We examine individual teeth for mobility, fractures, malocclusion, and periodontal disease (probe for pocket depths after calculus is removed).  Special curettes are used to probe the subgingival (below the gumline )spaces as well as remove any deposits.

Regardless of how careful we are during the scaling/curettage phase of teeth cleaning, minor defects of the tooth surface occur.  Polishing smoothes out the defects and removes plaque missed during previous steps.  Pumice or polishing paste is used on a polishing cup for the procedure.  Any excess paste or debris is flushed away when the teeth are rinsed.  A fluoride rinse or oral gel can then be applied.

The pet owner is an integral part of our dental team.  Home care is the single most important procedure the owner can do to maintain oral health.  If performed regularly, daily brushing will dramatically increase the interval between teeth cleaning appointments.

Plaque is constantly being made and deposited in the mouth.  Humans have a buildup of plaque in the morning, that makes our breath smell bad.  Proper home care can keep plaque buildup under control.  The goal of dental home care is to remove plaque from tooth surfaces and gingival sulci before it mineralizes into calculus, a process that occurs within days of a teeth cleaning.  Success depends on the owner's ability to daily brush the teeth, as well as the dog or cat’s acceptance of the process.  True oral cleanliness can only be achieved through the mechanical action of toothbrush bristles above and below the gingiva.

Home care is best started at a young age before the adult teeth erupt.  The perfect time to introduce dental home care is at the first puppy or kitten visit.  The client-animal bond as well as the client-veterinary bond is enhanced when daily brushing is performed following instructions given at the animal hospital.

Clients often ask, "doesn’t hard food keep teeth clean?"  Some believe when their dog or cat chews on hard food or biscuits, mineral deposits are broken down and the teeth stay clean.  This is not true. True, animals on soft diets accumulate plaque more readily than those on dry foods, but the only way to keep teeth clean above and below the gum line is by daily brushing.  There are other dental and oral products (CHEWS) that can be used to help clean your pet's teeth and gums, but they are not as effective.  There is also a specially formulated pet food with dental benefits for dogs and cats.  Created by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., Hill's® Prescription Diet® Canine t/d® or Prescription Diet Feline t/d® can help reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar.  This food is available through your veterinarian.

For more information on Dental Month, to make a dental appointment or to learn more about your pet's dental and oral health, call us at Hancock Animal Hospital and we will be happy to help you.  Phone 617-773-0008.