Imagine what your mouth would feel like if you never brushed your teeth or went to the dentist. For many dogs and cats, this is a painful reality. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the age of 3. Dental (or periodontal) disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets.
Common signs of dental disease include:
- Yellow or brown buildup (tartar) on the teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Excessive drooling
- Changes in eating or chewing habits
- Pawing at the face
- Loose teeth
- Depression
Even if your dog or cat doesn’t have these symptoms, we recommend that you have a veterinarian evaluate your pet’s dental health at least once a year (this is usually done at the time of their annual exam). Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to the deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay can result in irreversible periodontal disease, tooth loss, and possibly expensive oral surgery.
Dental disease can also affect other organs in the body: Bacteria in the mouth can get into the bloodstream and cause serious infections in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. If these problems aren’t caught and treated quickly enough, they can be life-threatening. A physical exam combined with appropriate laboratory work can determine if infection in the mouth has spread, and help your veterinarian to develop a treatment plan.
Surgical dentistry requires patients to be under general anesthesia which will keep them unconscious and pain-free throughout the procedure. Your pet’s surgical team will take X-rays of their teeth to assess the condition of their teeth below the gum line, clean the teeth, and extract teeth if necessary. They will then be sent home with pain medication and special instructions for recovery as the mouth will be tender post-operation.
