Like humans dental disease is very common. We are all aware of the need to brush our own teeth twice daily - but what about our pets? Ideally we would like to get all our owners to brush their pets teeth but we understand this can be very difficult or actually impossible.

Thankfully there are other ways of keeping our pets teeth nice and healthy.

01948 662424 Whitchurch

01270 652121 Wistaston     

24hrs

Incisors

Canines

Premolars

Molars

(more further back in mouth)

Normal Teeth

Bright White Enamel

Pale Smooth Gums

Dental Disease

Like humans, food material that is left on the surface of teeth can be used as fuel for bacteria that form the fuzzy invisible material called plaque. If allowed to build up over time these bacteria then produce a calcified material called tartar that is clearly seen as a yellow-grey material on the surface of the teeth. Once formed the tartar then acts as a protective covering for the bacteria allowing them to continue to proliferate, producing even more tartar. As the disease gets worse the enamel of the teeth can be eroded (especially in cats) and the gums recede exposing the sensitive roots of the teeth leading to tooth root abscess and pain.

Tartar

Once formed, tartar is impossible to remove by brushing and dental chews alone. It requires scaling off with dental instruments. To do this to a dog or cat requires full anaesthesia to ensure they don’t move and to allow access to all surfaces of the teeth. A scale and polish is a quick and painless procedure. Most dogs and cats will require this doing at least a couple of times over their lifetime. If not treated at this stage it will lead to much more severe irreversible dental disease.

Mild Tartar Build Up

Severe Tartar Build Up with Peridontal Disease

If not treated early in its formation, tartar will eventually cover the whole tooth, the bacteria will erode the gums and even the jaw bone that the teeth sit in. This leads to breakdown of the Peridontal Ligament that holds the teeth in place. The bacteria will then have access to the tooth root causing Tooth Root Abscesses which are very painful.

In addition bacteria can find their way into the blood stream and spread to other areas of the body, such as the kidneys, liver and heart valves causing severe infections.

The only treatment for affected teeth at this stage is removal. Tooth removal involves cutting flaps in the gums to expose the jaw, removal of bone to expose the roots and stitching the gums closed. This takes more time and requires the use of antibiotics and pain relief.

Dental Treatment

Here at Leonard Brothers we have excellent facilities for performing dental procedures on our patients. Air driven high speed burrs and and an ultrasound scaler mean that we can clean or remove teeth quickly, safely with the minimum of trauma to surrounding tissues. Coupled with excellent anaesthetics and careful monitoring, this means patients will be able to go home with clean, pain free mouths the same day.

Prevention

If your cat or dog has clean teeth already or we have recently cleaned them for you then its very important to keep them clean. Here are a few things you need to consider.

The biggest culprit for causing dental problems is inappropriate food. Tinned or foil packed foods are the worse. These foods coat the teeth providing ideal conditions for plaque producing bacteria. Dried foods are better can still result in build up of plaque.

Royal Canin produce a specific teeth cleaning diet called ‘Dental’ designed to clean teeth as the animals eat which can be used alongside the measures mentioned above.

They also produce their very own dental chews called ‘Oral bars’ which are clinically proven to reduce tartar by upto 70%. Both the dental diet and chews are available at the practice.

Diet

Brushing Teeth

The best way to prevent dental problems is to brush your pet’s teeth. It is best to start this as a routine for puppies and kittens as they will learn to accept brushing more readily if done from an early age. Its never too late to start though, and with patience and plenty of praise then most pets can be taught to have their teeth brushed. 

To train your pet start by simply lifting the gums so you can examine the teeth. Once this has been accepted,

try placing some pet toothpaste (never use human paste) onto your finger and gently rubbing it onto your pet’s teeth and gums. It may take several days or weeks for your pet to get used to this but please be patient. When introducing brushing you only need to clean the outside of the teeth so no need to open your pet’s mouth until you have perfected the technique. Once you and your pet have mastered this then you can progress to using a small training thimble brush before trying the full bristle brush. Once trained with plenty of patience and reward, most pets will accept and expect daily tooth brushing.

How can I tell if my pet has dental disease?

Mouthwashes and Aquadent

If you cannot brush your pets teeth every day then you may consider the use of CET Oral Hygiene Wash which is squirted onto the pets teeth after meals. This will suppress bacterial build up.

Aquadent is a water additive that is put in the pets water bowl that also inhibits bacteria. They are not as good as brushing but can really help slow down plaque build up and freshen breath