Dental care in
cats and dogs
Although dogs and cats very rarely suffer from dental cavities, they do suffer from periodontal disease. Just as in people, good oral hygiene is key to maintaining a healthy mouth.
What is periodontal disease? Plaque will form on the teeth of dogs and cats, just as it does in humans. Plaque is a sticky combination of saliva, food particles, and bacteria. If the plaque is not removed, the bacteria will release toxins that cause the gums to become inflamed (swollen and red). Over a period of time, this will gradually lead to loosening and dissolving of the ligaments, bone and gum that hold the teeth in place. Initial symptoms will include bad breath and tender gums. Over time, teeth can become loose and painful, or develop root infections and abscesses.
How is periodontal disease prevented? Regular tooth brushing (at least once a day) will remove plaque before it can cause further problems. A pet toothpaste should be used, as pets do not like mint or bubbles. Finger brushes and long-handled toothbrushes are available.
Just as in people, sometimes brushing is not enough to prevent plaque formation, especially in hard-to-reach places like the back of the mouth or between closely-positioned teeth. Your pet should receive a dental check up at least once a year, and a professional scale and polish can be carried out under anaesthetic if needed.
What if periodontal disease is already present? In the early stages of periodontal disease, a thorough scale and polish of the teeth will allow the gum disease to reverse. In later stages, when there is irreversible gum or bone loss or root infection/loosening, then affected teeth will be Xrayed and extracted. Dogs have 42 teeth and cats have 30 so it is likely that there will be plenty of teeth remaining, however even without any teeth, dogs and cats with healthy gums are able to eat normally, even biscuits if they like!
Acorn House Acorn House has a designated dental suite with digital dental radiography and full anaesthetic monitoring, so that dental procedures can be carried out to a very high standard at the practice.
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