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Dental disease/ periodontal disease is one of the leading health problems affecting pets. The most common symptoms of periodontal disease are bad breath (halitosis), gingivitis/ red gums, bleeding gums, plaque build up, excessive drooling, difficulty eating and/or favoring one side of the mouth while eating, If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to bone destruction which in turns leads to loose teeth and bone infections. Periodontal disease can also lead to more systemic (widespread) issues as bacteria can affect other organs such as the liver and kidneys.
The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to be proactive about your pets oral health, starting at puppy hood, and there are a variety of ways that can be done.
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Your pet’s teeth need to be brushed daily. When brushing your pet’s teeth focus on the top (maxillary) teeth as the lower teeth (mandibular) get naturally “cleaned” from the upper teeth. Bacteria can start to cause inflammation in as little as 2 days. Fingerbrushes are ok as a starter brush but we find that the bristles are not firm enough to remove plaque consistently so we recommend switching to a regular toothbrush for everyday use once your pet has gotten used to a toothbrush. . Toothbrushes can be purchased at your veterinarians or at the store. Human toothbrushes can be used. Animals require a special kind of toothpaste which can be found at your veterinarians. Do not use human toothpaste on dogs and cats.
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The natural act of chewing helps reduce the amount of plaque build up. We recommend keeping your pet strictly on dry food for that very reason. Rawhides, bones and toys (ie Kong toys, Gumabones, Plaque Attackers) that encourage chewing are also good. Other edible treats, such as Cheweez and Tatart Check treats, contain compounds that help bind calcium, one of the primary ingredients in calculus formation. Certain rawhides are coated with chlorhexidine (i.e. CET chews), a natural antibacterial, which adds another dimension to prevent bacterial colonization. Try to avoid chew toys that are made up of hard material such as pig’s ears and cow’s hooves as they can lead to fractured teeth and increased caloric intake.
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Rinses can also be used on a daily basis. Most rinses contain chlorhexidine, a natural anti-bacterial, which when used with brushing can significantly reduce the bacterial count. As a bonus, a lot of these rinses are flavored to help cut down on the bad breath.
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Specialty diets are available to specifically help with periodontal disease. These diets are specially formulated to help reduce plaque and help with overall cleaning of the teeth. These diets are also formulated for daily, long term feeding. Examples include Hill’s T/D.
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It may be necessary that your pet have their teeth cleaned under general anesthesia. At that time, plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth and under the gums, the teeth polished and a comprehensive dental exam is done. The comprehensive dental exam checks for any pockets around the teeth, loose teeth and masses in the oral cavity.
Please be aware that non anesthetic teeth cleanings are not recommended as regular scrapers can damage the enamel and create grooves which make it easier for bacteria and debris to accumulate. Plus, the majority of periodontal issues occur under the gum line which an animal will never let you get to awake. Also anyone performing non anesthetic teeth cleanings is considered to be practicing veterinary medicine without a valid license which is against the law.
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Last but not least, it is important that your pet have an annual physical to allow us to assess your pet’s oral health. This will allow us to tailor a specific program for your pet’s oral hygiene.
Dental/periodontal disease is a very preventable disease. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
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