February is National Pet Dental Health Month! Thanks to our AAHA accreditation, we are proud to say that our veterinarians perform thorough examinations of your pet’s teeth, and only properly trained practice team members perform dental procedures.
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AAHA’S DENTAL CARE GUIDELINES
Contrary to popular belief, “doggy breath” is not normal. If your cat’s bad breath keeps the two of you from snuggling or you wish you could give your dog a mint, it could be the first sign that they have dental disease, a painful condition caused by bacteria infecting their gums and teeth. What’s even worse, it can lead to serious health issues as infection spreads throughout their body.
Here are the top 10 things you need to know about these guidelines:
1. DENTAL DISEASE BEGINS EARLY IN LIFE
Cats and small dogs can begin to develop pet dental disease as early as nine months old. By the time they’ve reached their third birthday, most dogs and cats begin showing signs of dental disease, such as bad breath, yellow tartar buildup on the teeth, and red, swollen gums. Left untreated, throbbing pain and inflammation can cause pets to drop food, drool excessively, paw at their mouths, or become reactive to petting. But, because most dogs and cats are experts at hiding pain, many suffer in silence.
2. EARLY DETECTION IS KEY
As a part of your pet’s annual veterinary checkup, AAHA recommends dental evaluations at least once a year when your cat or small breed dog reaches one year old, or when your large breed dog turns two.
3. “X-RAY VISION” IS ESSENTIAL FOR DIAGNOSING DENTAL DISEASE
After examining dental x-rays of cats and dogs with teeth that appeared normal to the naked eye, veterinarians found 27.8% of dogs and 41.7% of cats had diseased teeth. In pets with abnormal-looking teeth, veterinarians found additional diseased teeth in 50% of dogs and 53% of cats.
4. ANESTHESIA MAKES DENTAL EVALUATION AND TREATMENT SAFER AND LESS STRESSFUL FOR YOUR PET
Animals don’t like to hold still while their teeth are cleaned. Anesthetized dental cleanings allow veterinarians to make a more accurate diagnosis and decrease the chance of complications, like inhaling water or bacteria produced during the cleaning.
5. ANESTHESIA IS MUCH SAFER THAN YOU THINK
AAHA’s guidelines include steps to increase the safety of anesthesia, even in older pets. For example, one trained professional is dedicated to continuously monitoring, recording vital signs, and communicating the findings to the veterinarian. Before anesthesia, your pet will also be carefully screened with bloodwork and other tests to ensure he is free from underlying disease.
6. REMOVING PLAQUE FROM TEETH BENEATH THE GUMS IS VITAL
In fact, it’s even more important than scaling the portion of the teeth we can see. Bacteria thrive under the gumline, causing infections deep in the tooth root and jaw that can spread throughout the body and affect other organs, such as the heart or kidneys.
7. THERE ARE MANY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HUMAN AND VETERINARY DENTISTRY
Licensed veterinarians and credentialed technicians use sharp, sterilized instruments, just like those you see in your dentist’s office. Board-certified veterinary dentists go through extensive residency training to perform advanced procedures like root canals, tooth extractions, and crowns.
8. YOUR VETERINARIAN MAY CREATE A PERSONALIZED PAIN PROTOCOL TO KEEP YOUR PET COMFORTABLE
Although your dog or cat will be anesthetized during a tooth extraction, numbing medications will decrease the amount of general anesthetic needed and can last up to eight hours after the procedure, allowing your pet to rest in comfort. Your veterinarian can tailor your pet’s prescription pain medication to match the procedure so he’ll recover peacefully at home.
9. DON’T FORGET TO BRUSH
Brushing your cat or dog’s teeth every day will promote good oral health and prevent potentially expensive surgeries down the line. It’s easier than you think: There are even special pet toothpastes flavored like beef, chicken, fish, and peanut butter. (Note: Never use human toothpaste, which can contain ingredients like xylitol that are toxic to animals.)
10. CONSIDER USING OTHER DENTAL PRODUCTS IF BRUSHING ISN’T AN OPTION
Oral rinses, gels, sprays, water additives, and chews can help with your pet’s dental hygiene. Be sure to look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval on all pet dental products, and be wary of any dental chew that doesn’t bend or break easily as these can fracture teeth.
WHAT TO ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN ABOUT YOUR PET’S DENTAL CARE:
- Who will be monitoring my pet’s anesthesia? Who will be performing the dental cleaning or, if needed, the dental extractions?
- Will pain management be used before, during, and after the procedure?
- What should I expect from my pet after this procedure?
- How do you recommend I care for my pet’s teeth between dental cleanings?
- What should I feed my pet afterward?
For more information about our Dog Dental Health services contact Island Veterinary Hospital today!
Our veterinary hospital is AAHA Accredited and ready to help your pet!