Frequently Asked Dental Questions and Their Answers

Why should I brush my pet's teeth?
Daily removal of plaque is the key to an effective oral hygiene program. Unless your pet's teeth are brushed daily, plaque, which is an accumulation of bacteria, will build up at the gum line. Eventually, calculus forms, further irritating the gums, causing infection that progress to destroy the attachment around your pet's teeth. In addition to creating loose teeth, infection under the gum line can spread to the liver, kidneys, and heart.

How can I brush my pet's teeth?
It is usually a very easy and fun procedure. First, pick a soft-bristled or finger toothbrush. Next, get toothpaste from your veterinarian. Do not use toothpaste intended for humans because it has detergents that should not be swallowed. Apply a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush and brush the outside of the upper check teeth. Concentrate on the area where the tooth meets the gum line.

How often does my pet need to have its teeth cleaned by the veterinarian?
It depends on the degree of plaque and tartar accumulation. Examine your pet's teeth monthly. Look for an accumulation of yellow or brown material at the area where the tooth meets the gum line. Pay particular attention to the check teeth and canines.

Once you notice plaque or tartar accumulation, it is time for a professional cleaning. Do not wait. Attached to the tartar are bacteria that are irritating gum tissues. When treated, inflammation will be resolved. When gingivitis is left untreated, it will progress to periodontitis, which is nonreversible.

The intervals between teeth-cleaning procedures will depend on how often you can brush your pet's teeth. Once daily is optimum. If you cannot brush your pet's teeth consider a special diet by Hills called T/D. This food has an oversized kibble your pet must bite, resulting in a wiping effect on the whole tooth.

Can I just take my fingernail or a dental scaler to remove calculus?
Dental disease occurs below the gum line. By removing calculus from the visible part of the tooth, you are not removing disease below the gum line. In order to help your pet, plaque and calculus must be removed from below the gum line.

Do you have to use anesthetics to clean my pet's teeth?
Anesthesia is necessary when performing teeth cleaning. Anesthesia provides three important functions: immobilization in order to clean below the gum line, pain control and the ability to place a tube into the windpipe so bacterial products do not enter the respiratory system.

I am concerned about anesthesia. Is it safe?
We take every effort to ensure anesthetics are safely administered. We use the safest of anesthetic agents. All dogs and cats are given preoperative test, depending on their age and condition, to qualify then as candidates for anesthesia. Finally, while anesthetized, all animals are monitored with pulse oximeter and respiratory monitor.

How much does a tooth-cleaning procedure cost?
It is difficult to quote what the procedure will cost because we do not know what state your pet's teeth and gums are in. There are three levels of teeth cleanings at our hospital. The range of fees is based on severity plus fees for preoperative testing, anesthesia, necessary therapy, and medication. The doctor or staff will be happy to give you an estimate once you bring your dog or cat in for the examination.

What is best to feed my pet?
There are special diets specifically manufactured to help keep dogs' and cats' teeth clean (Hills T/D). Feeding these special diets in conjunction with regular brushing is the best way to keep the teeth clean. Diet alone will not control plaque, but it will help.

What toys should I avoid to protect my pet's teeth?
Chewing on objects harder than the tooth may lead to dental fractures. Be especially careful with cow and horse hooves. They commonly cause fractures of the upper check teeth. Do not play tug-of-war games, especially with young dogs and cats, because they can move growing teeth to abnormal locations. Throwing dogs Frisbees can also cause trauma to the teeth resulting in pulpitis (discolored teeth).

What are cat cavities?
Many cats get painful lesions at the gum line that invade the teeth. The lesions are referred to as feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs). Recent research indicates that in cats over 5 years of age there is a 72% chance he or she may have a FORL.

How can I tell if my pet is suffering from periodontal disease?
The leading sign is bad breath. Dogs and cats should not have disagreeable mouth odor. Bad breath comes from infection. If your pet's breath does not smell like roses, let us examine its mouth and advise care.

What types of tests are done to diagnose dental disease?
If periodontal disease is present or if your pet has a fractured tooth, an oral exam is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. A periodontal probe is used to evaluate bone loss around each tooth. Radiographs are taken to evaluate if teeth can be saved or need to be extracted.

When do I have to start worrying about dental problems with my pet?
As soon as puppy or kitten teeth emerge, it's time to start brushing. Although baby teeth are replaced with adult teeth, the puppy or kitten gets used to the brushing procedure, which continues for life.

What can be done if my pet has periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease occurs when tooth support structures are affected by infection. In the beginning stages, cleaning above and below the gum line as well as removal of calculus attached to the tooth will help restore periodontal health. In advanced cases, either periodontal surgery or extractions are performed. Antibiotics given monthly also help to control the progression of periodontal disease.

Which animals are at most risk for periodontal disease?
Smaller breeds are more prone than larger because the teeth are closer together in small dogs, and these dogs usually live longer. Terriers, Maltese, Schnauzer, Cocker spaniels, and Shih Tzus are especially prone to periodontal disease.

What can you do to fix a broken tooth?
If your dog or cat breaks its tooth, there are two treatments: root canal therapy to save the tooth or extraction. Leaving the tooth alone with an exposed nerve is not a humane option. In addition to pain, infection will develop, which can spread to vital organs.