Download DENTAL INFORMATION PACK DENTAL DISEASE Dental disease

DENTAL INFORMATION PACK
DENTAL DISEASE
Dental disease is one of the most commonly presented problems in Veterinary Practice. It
can cause bad breath (halitosis), gum disease, tooth loss, pain , difficulty eating and
anorexia. In the early stages, there may be no external symptoms but regular Veterinary
dental checks can help spot the early signs, allowing us to start early treatment which can
stop or slow the progression of the disease. A basic dental health check will be carried out
(where possible) as part of your pets annual health check and booster.
The most common form of dental disease in dogs and cats is periodontal disease (gum
disease). Accumulation of plaque on the tooth surface attracts bacteria causing
inflammation of the gum (gingivitis) This results in soreness, bleeding of the gums, and
halitosis. Mineralisation of the plaque then occurs , leading to tartar deposits. This
roughens the tooth surface, attracting further plaque and bacteria. At this stage, routine
dental hygiene treatment will hopefully allow the return of a normal, healthy mouth.
If untreated, gingivitis will progress to periodontitis, where there is involvement of the
deeper structures holding the tooth in the socket. Once these structures are damaged the
disease is irreversible and can ultimately lead to tooth loss. In very severe cases tooth root
abscesses and severe periodontal infections can cause secondary illness such as heart and
liver disease.
Trauma to teeth is also commonly encountered . Deep fractures to the teeth can cause
exposure of the vital pulp cavity, causing pain, tooth discolouration and root infections
which may necessitate extraction. In some cases of very fresh fractures, emergency referral
to a dental specialist for root canal treatment may allow the tooth to be saved.
To avoid fractures, take care feeding large bones, do not throw stones for your dog and
watch that kennelled dogs do not chew the bars of their run. Exposure of the pulp cavity
may also occur with gradual wear to the tooth enamel - allowing your dog to carry stones or
tennis balls (which attract grit) are the most common culprits here.
Caries, or tooth decay, is less common in our pets than in ourselves but can occur in dogs,
usually on the flat chewing surfaces of the very back teeth. Deep cavities may result in pain,
halitosis, abscess formation and tooth fracture. Due to their location, it is often only
possible for these lesions to be diagnosed with a detailed examination under general
anaesthetic.
Resorptive Lesions are defects in the tooth, usually starting at the root surface and
becoming visible when the crown is affected. These occur commonly in cats and may be
hidden by overgrowth of gum tissue or tartar deposits. Diagnosis of the extent of the defect
can only be performed accurately during a dental examination under general anaesthesia
and may require X-rays to assess the most appropriate treatment. As the cause of these
lesions is as yet unknown, specific prevention is not possible, but it is thought that good oral
hygiene and regular dental attention may help. Currently extraction is the only available
treatment for advanced resorptive lesions.
Chronic Gingivostomatitis is a longstanding inflammation extending beyond the gum
margin to involve other tissues in the mouth, including the back of the mouth, tongue and
lip folds. It is again seen more commonly in cats and is thought to be an overactive immune
response to bacteria in the mouth. In some cats there may be viral involvement with Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus or flu viruses. It causes salivation, halitosis, bleeding from the
mouth and anorexia and can be extremely painful. Although, in some cases, antiinflammatories may help manage the condition in the short term, often the best outcome
for these cats involves extraction of all molar and premolar teeth. Although this may seem
like a radical option, most cats recover well and become pain free with an improved quality
of life.
PREVENTATIVE DENTAL TREATMENT
Routine Homecare
Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way of preventing dental disease. This must be
introduced gradually and gently (ideally in puppies and kittens) and should be made as
pleasant an experience as possible. We suggest you start by finding an enzymatic pet
toothpaste with an appropriate flavour (poultry/malt and fish are the most common) and
offer a small amount of the paste on your finger as a treat. Then, gently apply the paste to
the tooth and gum, giving praise and a reward. Start with one tooth initially then gradually
start to work you way around the mouth-expect this this to take some time-especially in
older pets. Once you are confident with applying the paste with a finger you can progress to
a soft baby or pet toothbrush. Ideally tooth brushing should be performed daily.
In some animals tooth brushing will just not be possible. In these animals specialist dental
biscuits (eg Royal Canin Dental or Hills t/d) and dental chews (eg Dentagen,Virbac
Veggiedent or Greenies)and playing with textured dental or rope toys may help with
manual plaque control.
Where there is gingivitis or mild periodontal disease use of chlorhexidine water additives (eg
Vetdent Aqua), gels (eg Petdent Gel) or mouth washes (eg Virbac Hexarinse) may help
reduce bacterial load and improve gum health.
Veterinary Dental Examination and Treatment
In many cases it is not possible to accurately diagnose dental disease in dogs and cats
without a full examination under general anaesthetic. If basic examination reveals signs of
dental disease we will often recommend that this is carried out. Generally the benefits of
such an examination and treatment will outweigh the risks of general anaesthesia - your pet
will have a full health assessment and, if indicated, pre-operative blood screen to ensure
that this is the case.
Following induction of anaesthesia your pet’s mouth will be fully examined - gums visually
checked and probed for periodontal disease and X-rays taken (if indicated) to check for root
disease. Tartar and plaque will be removed from the tooth surfaces using an ultrasonic
descaler and the tooth surface polished. Extractions may be performed if advanced
periodontal disease, loose or fractured teeth, resorptive lesions or decay are present.
Follow-up examinations or treatment will then be recommended as appropriate.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your pet’s dental treatment.