Increase the quality of your pet's life by committing to improving their dental health.

For humans, regular preventative dental care is the foundation for healthy gums and teeth. The same is true for your pet. Periodontal disease affects more than 80% of pets over two years of age. It is called "The Silent Disease" due to its slow progression and serious consequences. Good dental health and hygiene reduces your pet’s chances for bacterial infections, which can cause serious illness and even internal organ failure.

Pet dental procedures include a thorough oral examination, ultasonic descaling and cleaning, and polishing. Advances in pet dentistry make it possible to treat more severe tooth and gum problems. Our doctors constantly study the latest information about pet dentistry, to offer your pet the best care available.

The next time you give your favorite four legged friend a kiss, take time to smell the roses. But, if your pet's breath smells more fowl than floral, something needs to be done. But what? How can you take care of the problem, and more importantly, what can you do to prevent the progression of gum disease in your pet?

Pets' teeth and gums are similar to our own. Food material, bacteria, and saliva accumulate and adhere to the tooth surface, forming plaque. We brush our teeth daily to remove the plaque because if daily accumulation is not removed, harmful bacteria can build under the gum line, destroying the bone that surrounds our teeth.

There are four classifications of periodontal disease. Grades one and two are referred to as gingivitis. Here, the gums are red and swollen. You may also notice a disagreeable odor from your pet's mouth. Gingivitis is curable if treated early, with thorough teeth cleaning and polishing by a veterinarian. If not treated, periodontal disease occurs. In grade three periodontal disease, part of the tooth's supporting bone will be lost. Just as with people, during this stage, deep cleaning and periodontal surgery may be needed to save the tooth. Once grade four periodontal disease occurs, the tooth loosens due to complete destruction of the supporting bone.

In most cases, treatment of grade four disease involves extraction of teeth, to decrease the pain of eating with wobbly teeth. Dental pain is as real in pets as in humans, even though they may not tell you so.

What should be the first step if your pet's breath doesn't smell like roses? Have a veterinarian examine the mouth and make recommendations. Treatment often requires anesthesia, which may concern you. With current preoperative blood testing, improved anesthetics, patient monitoring and our new patient heating blankets, we take every step to make anesthesia a safe experience. We may also take dental x-rays to fully evaluate the teeth, roots, and supporting bone. Then, either the affected teeth will be cleaned, extracted, or surgery will be performed to save the teeth.

Once the immediate problem has been cared for, it's time to prevent further disease progression. Daily brushing, new easy to use sealants, and special diets for dental health are helpful. Prevention of periodontal disease will do more to lengthen your pet's life and make it an enjoyable one then most anything else -- so take a good whiff and get moving -- your pet will love you for it!!!

Thanks to Dr Jan Bellows, All Pets Dental Clinic, http://dentalvet.com for his help with this article

How do I know if my pet has periodontal disease?

Your pet may have periodontal disease if it displays any of the following symptoms:

• Bad breath (one of the earliest signs of periodontal disease)
• Red or swollen gums
• A yellow-brown crust near the gum line
• Loose or missing teeth
• Discomfort when mouth or gums are touched
• Weight loss or decreased appetite, possibly due to difficulty chewing

Now there’s a new vaccine to help fight the destruction caused by canine periodontitis. The Porphyromonus vaccine aids in the prevention of canine periodontitis as demonstrated by a reduction in bone changes. Periodontitis, the most common bacterial infection of dogs, can have serious long-term effects, such as tooth loss and internal infection, if left untreated. When used as part of a complete dental care program, you can be confident knowing you are providing the best care for your dog.

We recommend two initial doses of the vaccine, three weeks apart, either at the time of spay/neuter or when adult dogs have their teeth cleaned.

The dental health vaccine should be used as part of a total dental care package that includes at-home care and professional cleanings. Even with the use of the vaccine, tartar and plaque may still develop.

Good dental care for your pet includes these at-home steps:

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• Oral hygiene rinse, twice weekly
• Oravet sealant, once weekly (start after professional cleaning)
• Brush on other days with CET toothpaste
• TD dental treats as daily snacks and CET chews once or twice weekly

Start these habits when pets are young. Make it fun!

As most pet owners know, even with the best home dental care, professional cleaning must be done regularly to maintain the comfort and health of the mouth. We examine your pet’s oral health during our wellness exams and make recommendations to keep your friend comfortable, healthy and smelling his best! Professional cleaning involves anesthetic, pre-screening blood work, intra-venous fluid therapy and close vital monitoring during the procedure. The procedure is much easier for your pet than in years past.

Dr. McGhee has a special interest in dental medicine for pets. He would be glad to schedule an exam. You can also call our clinic and Dr. McGhee will answer questions about your pet’s dental health.