Can you tell us about dog dental health and dental care?
As early as 2 years of age, a lot of dogs will start to have periodontal disease. When we say periodontal disease, this is inflammation of the gingiva along the tooth margin and up under that gum line.
What does periodontal disease look like in dogs?
A lot of times it doesn't look like much. It can be a red line along the gum line and plaque starting on those teeth. Plaque tends to be softer and is easier to get rid of with routine brushing. Dental health treats will also help to clean the teeth when you're at this level.
What happens as periodontal disease progresses?
As this progresses, we see more calcification and tartar. This looks like hard black material stuck to the tooth that you can't move with a toothbrush or get off with your fingernail. When this starts to happen, these dogs really need to come in for some dental care.
What does dental care for dogs involve?
We recommend dental cleaning under anesthesia, where we can take full mouth dental X-rays to evaluate what's going on underneath the gum line, as well as scale and polish the tooth. Once we've done this, that tooth health has been established. You'll see improvements in their breath.
Are there any additional procedures that might be necessary during dental care?
Some of these dogs will have teeth that need to be extracted, which we do at the same time while they're under for that dental. A lot of times, there's more going on in there than what owners really realize.
How do dogs typically react to tooth pain?
Dogs and cats routinely can have tooth pain and never skip a beat. They will continue to chew on their toys, they'll continue to eat their food, and they appear perfectly normal for what the owner sees.
What feedback do you receive from owners after dental procedures?
Once we clean teeth and possibly pull teeth, the reports we hear back from owners usually include statements like, "I didn't realize how much that was bothering them, but they act like a whole new pet now." They're more active, they want to play more, they're picking up their toys more, and they're eating better. There are a lot of things that we hear back that tell us cleaning those teeth can make a huge impact on the health of your pet.
Are there other health concerns related to dental issues in dogs?
Yes, as these teeth start to become issues, the bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream through that inflamed, raw gingival tissue and can colonize different areas of the body. We can see infections in the heart, liver, and kidneys. Older dogs that get mitral valve disease a lot of times have bad teeth, and some of that heart disease can be secondary to having that level of bacteria in their bloodstream.
What is the best thing owners can do for their pet's dental health?
Cleaning your dog's teeth and cleaning them routinely when it's recommended can be the single best thing you can do to keep your pet happy, healthy, and living their longest, best life.
How can pet owners get more information or assistance with their pet's dental care?
If you have questions about dental care, please give us a call. We do free dental exams so we can look and see what your pet's teeth look like, determine if they need a dental cleaning, assess whether we need to pull teeth, and provide the best advice on what to continue doing to keep your pet's mouth healthy.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (319) 220-5926, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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