Dental

Why are we making a big deal?

In a one word answer….DENTISTRY!

It is true that pet dental care is a fairly new development in the
veterinary field. It is a direct result of advances in veterinary
medicine that makes it possible for pets to live longer and healthier
lives.

Many pet owners do not think to look at their pet’s teeth until bad breath
is such a problem that it no longer can be ignored. At this point we
usually see large amounts of tartar build-up, severe gum disease, infected
roots, abscesses, and teeth that are causing the pet a great deal of pain.
Because of the infection present in the mouth, bacteria are constantly
being fed into the blood stream and causing disease in the heart valves,
liver, and kidneys.

Our goal here at Sorrento Animal Hospital is to educate pet owners and
promote dental care so that dental disease does not progress to the point
of causing pain and poor general health. We would be happy to discuss
preventative home dental care with you or to help determine whether your
pet needs to be scheduled for dental treatment.

You can check out further information on our site regarding dental disease
and also the products we carry for preventative dental care.

—
Above link to our other dental stuff in diseases and then dental products
and procedures.

—
The Truth About Pet Dental Care

PET DENTAL FACTS
• Periodontal disease is the most prevalent disease among dogs and cats.
• An astounding 80 percent of dogs and cats show signs of oral disease by
age three, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).
• Periodontal disease is common in dogs of smaller breeds because dogs’
teeth often are too large for their mouths, forcing the teeth closer
together.
• Dogs start out with 28 deciduous (baby) teeth; cats start out with 26
deciduous teeth. By six months of age, these baby teeth fall out and are
replaced by permanent teeth, 42 in the dog and 30 in the cat.
• Broken teeth are a common problem for dogs, especially among outdoor
dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard
objects is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.
• Odontal clastic resorptive lesions are the most common tooth disease in
domestic cats. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop
at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.

CAUSES OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Plaque is a colorless film that contains large amounts of bacteria. If
left unchecked, plaque builds up, creating infection, destroying gums and
resulting in the loss of the tissues and bone that support the teeth.
Preventive oral care can reduce the formation of plaque and help maintain
proper oral health throughout a pet’s life.

SIGNS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

All pets are at risk for developing dental problems. Once a pet displays
any of the warning signs below, serious periodontal disease may be
present. Don’t wait until you see these signs. Come in and see one of
Sorrento Animal Hospital’s veterinarians and start a preventative dental
care program today!
• Tooth loss
• Subdued behavior
• Abnormal drooling
• Dropping food out of the mouth
• Swallowing food whole
• Bad breath
• Yellow-brown crust on teeth
• Bleeding gums
• Going to the food bowl, but not eating
• Change of chewing or eating habits
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
• Poor Oral Hygiene: Ignoring the condition of a pet’s mouth can lead to
periodontal disease, tooth loss and
other health problems.
• Breed: Periodontal disease is more common in smaller breeds of dogs and
certain breeds of cats.
• Age: Periodontal disease is more common as pets grow older.
TREATMENT OF ORAL DISEASE
• Look for warning signs of oral disease. Common indications include bad
breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth
and depression. If any of these signs are present,
the pet should be taken to the veterinarian for a dental exam.
• The first step in preventing oral disease is a routine physical
examination, including a dental exam.
• Pet owners should practice a regular dental care regimen at home, which
may include brushing the pets’
teeth with specially formulated toothpaste, feeding a dental diet, feeding
dental treats, feeding C.E.T. chews.
• Pet owners should schedule regular follow-up care with us to see what
dental home care product is working for you and if what you are currently
using is not working. We can always change you pets preventative dental
care plan if what was originally suggested is not working for you. We
want you to prevent periodontal disease before it becomes a major problem
requiring more invasive treatment.