Veterinary Dental Care: More Than Just a Pretty Smile
Dental disease is the most common medical problem in cats and dogs, affecting an estimated 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age three. At Hamilton Crossing Animal Hospital, we emphasize that dental care is not just cosmetic; it is a critical component of your pet's overall health and longevity.
The Problem: Periodontal Disease
Dental disease begins when a sticky film called plaque (a mix of bacteria, food, and saliva) forms on the teeth. If not removed within hours, plaque hardens into rough, yellow-brown deposits called tartar (calculus).
This buildup causes:
Gingivitis: Red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
Periodontal Disease: As bacteria thrive below the gum line, they infect and destroy the bone and soft tissue that hold the tooth in place. This destruction leads to loose, painful teeth and, eventually, tooth loss.
The Hidden Dangers
The hidden dangers of dental disease go far beyond bad breath (halitosis)
Systemic Disease: The bacteria associated with severe periodontal disease can enter your pet's bloodstream and travel to major organs, causing irreversible damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Intense Pain: Pets are experts at hiding pain. By the time an owner notices difficulty eating, pawing at the face, or excessive drooling, the pet has often been suffering from chronic, severe pain for months or even years.
Tooth Root Abscesses: An untreated infection can travel down the tooth root, forming a painful pocket of pus (abscess) that can cause severe facial swelling and potentially rupture.
Special Note for Small Dogs: Small breed dogs (like Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, and Chihuahuas) are especially susceptible to dental disease because their mouths are often crowded, leading to rapid plaque accumulation and accelerating bone loss. They often require more frequent dental care.
The Solution: Prevention and Professional Cleaning
The key to protecting your pet is combining professional cleaning with consistent home care. It is always better and safer to get your pet's teeth cleaned before the disease becomes severe and requires extensive extractions.
1. Professional Surgical Dental Cleaning
Dental cleaning at Hamilton Crossing Animal Hospital is a thorough medical procedure performed under general anesthesia. Anesthesia allows us to:
Perform a full oral exam: Check all teeth, including those at the very back of the mouth.
Take Dental X-rays: Since over 60% of the tooth is hidden beneath the gum line, X-rays are essential to check for hidden issues like root abscesses, bone loss, or fractures.
Deep Scaling and Polishing: We remove plaque and tartar from above and, critically, below the gum line, where periodontal disease causes the most damage.
Extractions: If periodontal disease is too advanced, we safely remove the painful, infected teeth, resolving the source of pain and infection.
2. At-Home Preventive Maintenance
Daily home care helps keep the plaque soft and delays the need for professional cleanings. We carry and recommend veterinary-approved products:
Pet Toothpaste and Toothbrushes: Daily brushing is the most effective way to prevent plaque buildup. Never use human toothpaste, as it can upset your pet's stomach.
Oravet Chews: These specialized chews work to create a barrier on the teeth, helping to reduce bacterial attachment and tartar buildup.
Aquadent: A liquid water additive that you simply mix into your pet's drinking water to help freshen breath and reduce plaque formation.
Hard Chews Warning: Protect Their Teeth!
We strongly caution against giving your pet extremely hard chews, as they pose a significant risk of causing painful dental injuries.
Avoid: Deer antlers, elk antlers, hard nylon bones, ice cubes, and bones of any kind.
The Risk: Chewing on materials harder than tooth enamel can cause slab fractures (where a large piece of the tooth breaks off) or break the tooth entirely, exposing the pulp (nerve). A fractured tooth is incredibly painful and creates a pathway for bacteria to enter the root canal, leading to infection and abscesses.