I know it’s
Valentine’s Day, but I just don’t want my dog licking me, his breath is
horrible! What can I do about it?
Periodontal Disease
– This is one of the most common reasons for our pets to have bad breath. Periodontal disease refers to an infection of
the gums and bones around the teeth. The
infection starts with bacteria growing in a soft film of plaque covering the
teeth. Over time the plaque mineralizes
and hardens into tartar or calculus.
Tartar is an ideal place for more plaque and bacteria to accumulate,
creating a downward spiral in your pet’s mouth.
Just imagine what it would smell like if we didn’t brush our teeth every
day!
Systemic Effects – In addition to bad breath, poor dental
care can lead to a variety of health problems for your pet. First, infected teeth are painful. Frequently I get phone calls from clients after
their dog has had their teeth cared for at our clinic, exclaiming that
their dog is like a puppy again. Can you
imagine walking around with a toothache all the time? Second, these bacteria leak into the blood
stream so your pet is constantly fighting an infection. This makes them feel tired and sick. Finally, bacteria in the bloodstream can
lodge in the kidneys, heart, and liver causing damage to these organs.
Home Dental Care
–The best thing you can do for your pet’s mouth is regular brushing. This prevents accumulation of plaque and the
formation of tartar. (Brushing cannot remove
tartar once it has formed.) For puppies
and kittens, start brushing at 8 weeks of age and make it a fun activity with
praise and treats. Chews and
prescription dental diets have also been proven to help cut down on plaque and
tartar. To see a list of chews and foods
approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council check out www.VOHC.org. Use caution with hard chews or bones as they
can lead to broken teeth or an intestinal foreign body.
Dental Cleaning by Your Veterinarian – In order to do a thorough exam and teeth cleaning your pet will have to be under
anesthesia. In general, a dental
procedure involves an oral exam (checking for pockets, loose teeth, or other
abnormalities in the mouth), scaling or scraping the tartar from the teeth and
under the gums, and polishing the teeth.
X-rays may be needed to look at the tooth roots and surrounding
bone. Sometimes additional procedures
are performed such as extractions or biopsies.
Veterinary dentists do even more complex procedures like root canals,
jaw surgery and orthodontics. Regular
cleanings help to keep periodontal disease under control.
Talk to your veterinarian about how to best care for your pet’s teeth and maybe
those Valentine’s Day kisses will be delightful!
Dr. Kristel Weaver is a graduate
of the Veterinary School at the University of California, Davis where she
received both a DVM and a Master’s of Preventative Veterinary Medicine
(MPVM). She has been at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care
in San Ramon since 2007. She currently
lives in Oakland with her husband and their daughter, Hayley. If you have
questions you would like Dr. Weaver to answer for future articles, please email
info@webvets.com
Periodontal Disease
– This is one of the most common reasons for our pets to have bad breath. Periodontal disease refers to an infection of
the gums and bones around the teeth. The
infection starts with bacteria growing in a soft film of plaque covering the
teeth. Over time the plaque mineralizes
and hardens into tartar or calculus.
Tartar is an ideal place for more plaque and bacteria to accumulate,
creating a downward spiral in your pet’s mouth.
Just imagine what it would smell like if we didn’t brush our teeth every
day!
Home Dental Care
–The best thing you can do for your pet’s mouth is regular brushing. This prevents accumulation of plaque and the
formation of tartar. (Brushing cannot remove
tartar once it has formed.) For puppies
and kittens, start brushing at 8 weeks of age and make it a fun activity with
praise and treats. Chews and
prescription dental diets have also been proven to help cut down on plaque and
tartar. To see a list of chews and foods
approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council check out www.VOHC.org. Use caution with hard chews or bones as they
can lead to broken teeth or an intestinal foreign body.
