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May 29, 2020 9:30:19 AM By Barry Miller Dental Health

Pet dental health is a very toothy situation that is more complex than most people realize. Humans brush their teeth multiple times a day every day and still suffer from cavities and dental health issues. So, it goes without saying that pet's do not experience the same level and frequency of dental care as human do. As a result, they are more prone to multiple dental health issues that includes more than gum disease or periodontal disease.

A Brief Word About Periodontal Disease:

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, starts when plaque begins to form on your pet's teeth. Typically gum disease is asymptomatic in its earliest stages, but as gum disease advances it can become a serious problem..

Important Facts About Gum Disease:

  • Gum Disease is preventable, dental cleanings prevent it and dental exams catch it early
  • Gum disease is a very common diagnosis, in fact dogs are diagnosed with gum disease five times more often than humans
  • Even the smallest of health or behavioral changes can indicate the start of a problem, and that having an established dental history helps your veterinarian with early detection and diagnosis.

Why Dental Exams Are Necessary:

  1. Starting a pet's dental record by having your Veterinarian complete a primary dental examination and evaluation provides baseline date to compare and identify changes early
  2. Scheduling annual veterinary dental cleanings: too clean, scale, and examine teeth offers the best prevention against future dental problems and reduces the chances for advanced gum disease

For At Home Dental Care Tips to Prevent Gum disease: Click this link to read my blog:  https://vetapprovedrx.pharmacy/blog/cat/dental-health/

 

Dental Health Is More Than Gum Disease:

In addition to Gum Disease, there are some less commonly seen dental conditions that pet parents  should be aware of such as:

  • retained "baby teeth"
  • tooth fractures
  • tooth root abscess
  • Caries or Cavities

1.  RETAINED or "Baby Teeth" a.k.a. DECIDUOUS TEETH

Just like humans, dogs have deciduous “baby” teeth. Ordinarily, the baby teeth are shed when the dog is between four and six months old, allowing the permanent adult teeth to erupt. However, in some dogs, the deciduous teeth are retained and do not fall out normally.

Retained baby teeth are quite common in dogs, but some small breeds more than others. Such as Pomeranians, Yorkshire terriers, and poodles. If the retained baby teeth are left after the adult teeth are present, they can cause overcrowding. Overcrowded teeth can predispose your dog to developing periodontal disease and other “bite” issues.

Dogs with overcrowded teeth often develop “doggy breath” and localized gingivitis caused by bacteria that readily gather and grow between the teeth. In addition, look out for permanent teeth that have come through as crooked, “double” rows of teeth, and bleeding, reddened gums around some of the baby teeth.

2.TOOTH FRACTURES

Along with canine periodontal disease, broken or cracked teeth are a common dental problem in pet dogs.

 

Trauma caused from numerous scenarios can damage your pet's tooth. For Example; clashing teeth with another dog during play, gnawing on very hard bones or rocks, continually chewing on tennis balls, and chewing at the bars of a kennel are all common causes of tooth damage. If the outer enamel is cracked and the sensitive pulp exposed, your dog will suffer extreme pain, and urgent veterinary treatment is always required.

How to recognize a broken tooth: Sometimes purple, gray, or pink staining on the tooth surface will indicate that the tooth pulp has bled, causing the dentin to become stained. Black spots on the surface of the affected tooth indicate that the pulp is actually dying. Your dog may appear miserable and sensitive around his mouth, and he may show reluctance to eat or struggle to chew his food.

Your vet will make a definitive diagnosis of a tooth fracture by taking dental radiographs and probing the tooth (under general anesthetic) to establish whether the pulp cavity has been exposed.

There are two primary treatment options for tooth fractures: extraction and (endodontic) root canal treatment.

3.TOOTH ROOT ABSCESS

A tooth root abscess is a severe infection around the base of a tooth root, usually following damage or trauma to the tooth. Bacteria enter the injury site, attacking the tissue and causing inflammation and pain. Tooth root abscesses can also occur as a complication of periodontal disease.

Your dog may have difficulty eating and may begin tipping his head to one side in an attempt to avoid the pain caused by the abscess. As the abscess grows, facial swelling may appear, often around the eye, depending on the proximity of the tooth roots. If your dog will allow you to look inside his mouth, you may see a swelling or red, angry-looking area of the gum.

Your vet will prescribe antibiotics to control the infection, together with analgesics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs to make your dog more comfortable. Treatment will involve either root canal therapy or extraction of the affected tooth root if the surrounding structures are too severely damaged to be saved.

4.CARIES

Similar to people, dogs can develop cavities or caries in their teeth. Caries most commonly occur in the flat molar teeth at the back of the dog’s mouth, and are caused by tooth decay. Caries can occur as a complication of long-standing periodontal disease or following trauma where the tooth surface has sustained damage. All breeds can be affected.

As it is mainly the teeth at the back of the dog’s mouth that develop caries, it is difficult for owners to realize that there is a problem. The early signs to look out for include the following:

  • foul breath
  • tooth discoloration
  • behavioral changes such as reluctance to eat and sensitivity around the mouth

If your dog shows any of these signs, consult your veterinarian. Sometimes, the only way to diagnose caries is via veterinary examination under anesthetic.

Where the condition has been left undetected for a long period of time and advanced lesions have developed, root canal treatment or extraction will be required.

However, where decay is superficial, it may be possible to fill or cap the tooth in order to save it.

You can prevent your dog from developing tooth decay by developing an at home dental health routine. There are many options, brushing is best but for those that struggle with please know that there are other options: diet(excess carbohydrates cause dental caries), chews, food and water additives and a product that I use with my pet's, Perio Support. Perio Support is a food additive that you simply sprinkle on your pet's food.

Every week I complete multiple dental cleanings that require multiple tooth extractions and I frequently diagnosis gum disease. Pet's are resilient and do not often show signs of dental issues or gum disease so it is up to us as pet parents to take measures we keep their teeth and gums healthy. 

My Best Advice:

Establish an at home dental health routine, as I mentioned earlier there are many options today other than brushing.

Have your veterinarian perform a dental exam on your pet to establish  base line data on your pet's dental health.

Look out for warning signs of dental problems in your pet and if you think your pet may be suffering from a dental health issue schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Mouth pain and discomfort is a different type of pain. It is always better to be safe than sorry and have your pet suffer silently.

To Your Pet's Good Health,

Dr. Barry

Sources:

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/perlis-gum-disease-dogs

https://1tdc.com/what-dental-conditions-should-i-look-for-in-my-dog/

Feb 7, 2019 1:16:44 PM By Barry Miller tooth dental, Dental Health

 

At-Home Pet Dental Care Tips

I remember I used to have a poster in my office that had a picture of a bulldog with the caption, "His breath could stop a train". At the time it was cute but I know from first-hand experience that when you have a pet with bad breath it is not cute! Establishing routine preventative dental care with the help of your veterinarian is important, but supporting this with regular at-home dental care for your pet is essential to continuing their good health!  For many pet parents that is not as easy as it sounds.

We are lucky to have so many options for preventative oral care that do not involve a toothbrush and the difficulty of brushing an unwilling beloved pet's teeth.

Here are some at-home dental tips and options that may help to keep your pet’s mouth healthy in between visits to the veterinarian.

Signs that there is something wrong:

Watch for the following observable changes in behavior as they often point to a dental problem. If observed, the signs indicate that the dog needs to be seen by the veterinarian.

  • Loss of appetite
  • Appearance of a good appetite, but reluctance to eat
  • Eating on only one side of the mouth
  • Excessive drooling
  • Gulping food without chewing
  • Food dropping out of the mouth while eating.

 

Dogs don’t always have lovely breath, but chronic halitosis is one of the most common signs of severe oral/dental problems, including:

  • Periodontal disease:
    • Gum disease caused by plaque
    • Results in:
      • Gum infections
      • Tooth loss
      • Systemic infections
  • Oral masses
    • Cancerous Growths
    • Benign growths
  • Gingival hyperplasia
    • Condition caused when the gums overgrow
    • Observed as bumps and deep crevices.

How to assess your pet's Gums and Teeth

  • Once a week, gently pull back your pet's lips and look at its gums and teeth or sneak a peek when your cat or dog bares its teeth for any reason.
    • Gums should be pink
    • Gums should not be white or red
    • Teeth should be white
    • Teeth should not show any discoloration or have any tartar buildup.

There are many options available today other than just brushing your pet's teeth. I know that brushing can be challenging so I would recommend reading thru the rest of this blog to see what option might work for you and your pet. It will definitely be worth it as it will prevent dental disease and other health disorders that often begin as a result of poor dental health.

Option#1.

Brushing

Brushing with a pet toothbrush and toothpaste is still the most effective option. Cleaning your pet’s teeth on a regular basis will help to prevent the problems caused by bacteria and plaque build-up. Follow these steps:

  • Talk to your veterinarian to gather information and ask them to:
    • Recommend a toothbrush that is appropriate for your type and size of pet
    • Select a toothpaste that will entice your pet and make them look forward to having their teeth brushed, most kinds of toothpaste are flavored in a way that dogs will enjoy the taste. Do no use human toothpaste.
    • Provide a demonstration of the steps involved in brushing your pet’s teeth.

The following steps will teach your pet to enjoy their brushing routine:

  • Begin by helping the dog get comfortable with the brushing motions:
    • Over a few weeks, daily massage their lips with your finger moving in a circular motion
    • Once the lips have been massaged, move to the teeth and gums
  • Once the animal is comfortable, place a small amount of toothpaste on the animal’s lips to introduce them to the taste
  • Using the toothbrush, massage the animal’s gums
  • Apply toothpaste to the toothbrush or directly on the teeth and then gently brush the teeth using the following technique:
    • At a 45-degree angle to the teeth, gently move the toothbrush in small, circular motions
    • Clean one area at a time
    • Since the teeth that touch the cheek have the most tartar, using a downward motion of the toothbrush will help to loosen and remove this tartar.

Option#2.

Chewing: Chews, toys, and treats

The right type of chewing toy is good for the teeth of dogs. Not only does chewing massage the gums and clean the teeth, but it also provides a safe way to satisfy its desire to gnaw on something which will help to reduce stress and prevent boredom. Talk to your veterinarian to get their advice on picking out a proper type of chewing item for your pet.

Option#3.

Water Additives and Oral Rinses

Drinking water additives and oral rinses are one of the easiest, safest and most convenient ways to provide oral health care to dogs. 

Simply add the pet drinking water additive to your pet's daily drinking water and you can truly do wonders at preventing dental disease. These drinking water additives typically do not contain any harmful ingredients such as chlorhexidine, chlorines or alcohols and are safe enough for daily ingestion without any side effects. At present, several types dental rinses are available on the market. For Oral Rinses you will be required to lift the lip of your pet exposing their gums. When the gums are exposed you will spray/squeeze the bottle aiming the oral rinse at their gums. When followed by a healthy treat your pet usually won't mind the intrusion. It is less time consuming than brushing.

Option#4.

Diet and food additives.

Discuss with your veterinarian the type of food that your pet eats. Dry kibble helps to slow down the formation of plaque and tartar. An animal fed mostly canned food may benefit from being supplemented with hard biscuits to help remove plaque and tartar. I also recommend a product called Perio Support Powder.  Perio Support Powder is a daily support formula for dental health and hygiene for both cats and dogs. It was designed to be used between veterinary dental cleanings to control plaque formation and support gum health, 

Option#5.

Professional Dental Cleaning

During your pet's annual exam your Veterinarian will assess your pet's teeth and gums. Your Veterinarian can perform a dental cleaning much like you receive from your dentist. Often during teeth cleaning your Veterinarian will be able to take a closer look at your pet's teeth, gums and mouth to determine their overall dental health.  As pets get older I recommend annual teeth cleaning or as needed when recommended by your Veterinarian.

 

Finding the best dental routine for your pet is important for their longevity and vitality. Too many of my patients have mouth infections or the beginning signs of dental disease or advanced stages of it. This impacts their overall health. Providing daily at-home dental care will help to further improve your pet's chances for better dental health and longevity.

To Your Pet's Good Health,

 

Barry Miller DVM

Jan 30, 2018 5:20:05 PM By Barry Miller Dental Health

Dental disease can be a serious problem but simple steps to prevent gum disease can lead to a longer healthier life.

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Jan 26, 2017 3:04:54 PM By Barry Miller Dental, hygiene, disease, gum, Dental Health
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