Nice big smile…….How often do you visit your dentist?
Preventative treatment is in place for all of us who brush our teeth and who on a regular basis visit our dentist for an
examination, scale and polish…... Ever thought your dog or cat needs this too?
Dental Disease……...Dogs and Cats can suffer toothache too!
Adult dogs have 42 teeth and adult cats have 30. There are 4 different types of teeth - canines, incisors, pre-molars and
molars. All these teeth have different roles to play, biting, chopping, tearing, grasping, chewing and crushing.
The tooth is made up of several structures: enamel, dentine, cementum, pulp cavity {containing the nerve of the tooth}
and a root.
Enamel found on the outside of the tooth is the hardest substance of the body composed of 96% mineral compared to
66% mineral in bones. However it can still be subjected to trauma and disease, leading to discomfort and pain in your
pet.
85% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of 3 years have some degree of dental disease. Generally the first symptoms
noticed by the owners is halitosis {foul smelling breath} sadly other more subtle symptoms like increased thirst or
decreased appetite can go undetected.
Dental disease has many stages and can cause many problems:
· Halitosis and gingivitis – Bad breath and inflamed gums
· Plaque and tartar – Plaque is a soft film deposited on teeth after eating. It is a combination of salivary
enzymes, bacteria and food debris. This builds up and becomes hard over a period of time, which then
becomes known as Tartar.
· Periodontal disease – as tartar builds up pockets of infection are created which then break down the structures
that cement the tooth into its socket, leading to inflammation, movement of teeth and TOOTH ACHE.
· Tooth root infections – Every tooth has a nerve running through it. This inflames due to trauma or disease and
the tooth becomes very painful.
· Systemic infection – This can be dangerous…particularly in our older patients. Generally occurs in the most
advance stages of dental disease. Levels of bacteria build up with your animal’s blood stream significantly
affecting other organs of the body such as the kidneys, liver and heart.
Why not come in and speak free of charge with one of our qualified veterinary nurses where advice and
demonstrations can be given on preventative health care treatment i.e. daily brushing of your pet’s teeth and
discussions on which toys/foods are useful in reducing plaque and tartar build up, before dental disease becomes an
issue for your pet. Appointments can be made Monday to Friday at a time convenient to suit you our client and your
wonderful pet.
Whilst working together we will never completely eliminate the necessity of your pet ever needing a general
anaesthetic, dental scale, polish and possible extractions but there are many ways we can slow down the dental disease
helping your pet live a healthier, happier life
Hartley having his ‘pre-anaesthetic blood sample’ taken. The blood sample is then
analysed ‘in house’ and primarily we are looking at Hartley’s liver and kidney
function, among other values like his white and red blood cells and platelets also his
electrolyte balance. Anaesthetic’s, antibiotics and pain relief are all classed as ‘toxins’
to the body and are ‘detoxified’ by the liver and ‘excreted’ by the kidneys. We need to
ensure that these organs in particular are functioning within normal parameters.
Hartley’s blood being analysed in our haematology machine, testing his red and white
blood cells also his platelets. Any abnormalities could be a sign of anaemia, infection
and inflammation all of which can cause problems with any surgical procedure and
anaesthetic.
Hartley’s blood being tested in our biochemistry machine, this machine tests his liver
and kidneys. It also analyses his glucose, cholesterol, calcium and protein levels. Any
abnormalities can indicate disease of the thyroid gland, dehydration, tumours, intestinal
disorders and diabetes mellitus.
All of which can cause problems when administering anaesthetic and carrying out a
surgical procedure.
Hartley’s electrolytes being tested his levels of Sodium, potassium and chloride within
his blood. This test helps us evaluate vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and cardiac
symptoms.
Hartley’s tests have received the ‘all clear’. Hartley is now being given intravenous
fluid therapy which will help maintain his blood pressure during anaesthesia, this helps
with his blood circulation and helps ‘flush out’ the toxins from his system. We also
administer fluids to correct the normal ongoing fluid loss which helps maintain the
whole body fluid volume during prolonged anaesthetics.
Hartley waits patiently for his dental procedure to be carried out, fluids being
administered before and will be during and after the procedure. Hartley’s fluid needs
for the day are carefully calculated and administered accordingly.
Hartley’s life long companion Pippa also in for the day just to give moral support as
they are never separated……..
Anaesthetic being administered, nice, warm, cosy sleep time……..
Teeth cleaning time!! See the tartar build up….
Cracking off the tartar, such a satisfying job! Other hand held instruments
are used to check for any ‘pockets’ within the gums and teeth extracted as
and where necessary.
Now for the ultrasonic scaler, these vibrate at a frequency that breakdown
plaque and tartar. Ultrasonic scalers also deliver a water output which aids
in cooling the tip during use, as well as rinsing all the unwanted materials
from the teeth and gum line. Added into this water are antimicrobial agents.
Descaling finished. All nice and clean, not only improving Hartley’s bad
breath but improving his health too!!
Now for the polish….Scaling teeth can produce small scratches on the
tooth’s surface, we polish the teeth with a slow rotating ‘soft rubber
cup’ and a special paste to make them smooth and shiny!
© Oakmount Vets 2013