What is dental disease?
Dental health in animals is very important and sometimes overlooked. Just like us, it’s key to make sure our little one has a regular dental check-up and clean. This is usually every 6-2 months did you know that we can only see 2/3 of the exposed tooth at the surface? This means there is a whole lot that we can’t see without an X-ray.
Dog and cat dental disease can be broken into grades. These grades help determine the level of plaque, inflammation adn dental disease affecting your animal’s mouth. Dental disease can affect our animal’s quality of life. This can be from the way we eat, behaviour (indicating pain) and all-around organ heath.
Let’s take a closer look at the grades.
Grade 1 - Gingivitis
Margin of attached gingiva (gum) is inflamed and swollen. Plaque covers teeth. This is already uncomfortable at this stage. Treatment can reverse this condition. These teeth need to be cleaned now, and a regular home care plan implemented, if not already in place. Professional hand scaling and fluoride treatment may be all that is needed by us at this stage, with continued care by you at home. As with humans, proper tooth care and early intervention affects the cost and degree of treatment required.
Grade 2 - Tartar
Entire attached gingiva (gum) is inflamed and swollen. Mouth is very painful although pets rarely complain, and odour begins to be noticeable. Professional treatment and home dental care can prevent this from becoming irreversible. In cats especially, deep and painful cavities at the neckline of the teeth occur quickly under the plaque and tartar. The cost of treatment increases with the severity of the dental disease found under the tartar. Antibiotics and pain medication may be necessary.
Grade 3 - Periodontal Disease
Cherry red and bleeding attached gingiva (gum). Gingiva is becoming destroyed by infection and calculus (tartar). Sore mouth affects eating and behaviour. Bad breath is present. Beginning of periodontal disease which may become irreversible. These mouths are very painful, even though your pet may not complain in ways that we can understand. Teeth may need to be extracted.
Grade 4 - Periodontal Disease Progression
Chronic bacterial infection is destroying the gum, tooth, and bone. Bacteria are continually spreading throughout the body via the bloodstream and will cause damage to the kidneys, liver, and heart. Bone loss can cause an unstable mandible (lower jaw) and fractures can occur, especially in small dogs and cats. Pre-anesthetic blood testing, pre-dental antibiotics and pain medication become especially important. Antibiotics to treat bone infection, and pain medication are imperative. Cavities are common in cats. Abscesses are common in both cats and dogs.
What can be done at home?
Things we can look out for as pet owners can include:
-
Bad breath – this is from plaque and bacteria building up on the teeth, gums and tongue
-
Pawing at the mouth
-
Difficulty eating and favouring one side of the mouth.
-
Red or inflamed gums
-
Discoloured teeth
-
Swelling under the eyes
There are many ways to help aid in the prevention of dental disease. This can include teeth brushing, diet, toys and dental treats. However, nothing beats a check in with your vet. When we do dental work, we can get inside and have a thorough look. We can explore the teeth and see if there are fractures, exposed pulp, periodontal pocketing, and movement of the teeth. X rays are the only way to investigate the multilayers of the teeth and see what’s going on under the gum line.
If you’re interested in knowing about dental disease and the way we can help keep our animals’ teeth healthy and clean, please talk to our friendly staff today. We can offer diets, tips and tricks, toys and even show you how to brush your animals’ teeth.
We can also grade your cats’ and dogs’ teeth and keep you up to date with how their teeth are progressing.
