Pet Dentistry

A healthy mouth is a very important part of over all body health. As pets are living longer than ever before, we are seeing more animals whose most severe medical problems are dental problems. To prevent oral disease, which is the number one health problem diagnosed in pets, it is essential to provide our pets with good dental care, both professionally and at home.

Dogs rarely get cavities, but are much more prone to gum disease and excess tartar build-up on the teeth. Food particles and bacteria collect along the gumline forming plaque. Routine home care can remove this plaque. If plaque is not removed, minerals in the saliva combine with the plaque and form tartar (or calculus) which adheres strongly to the teeth.

Plaque starts to mineralize 3-5 days after it forms. The tartar is irritating to the gums and causes an inflammation called gingivitis. This can be seen as reddening of the gums adjacent to the teeth. It also causes bad breath. At this point it is necessary to remove the tartar with special instruments called scalers, and then polish the teeth.If the tartar is not removed, it builds up under the gums and separates the gums from the teeth to form pockets encouraging even more bacterial growth.

At this point the damage may be irreversible and is called periodontal disease. Aside from being painful, periodontal disease can lead to loose teeth, abscesses, and bone loss or infection. As bacterial growth progresses, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream potentially causing infection of the heart valves (endocarditis), liver, and kidneys. Periodontal disease can be slowed or stopped with early intervention in the process by you and our veterinarians.

Cats can also develop feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions or FORLs. FORLs are characterized by resorption of the teeth. They appear as erosions of the surface of the tooth at the gingival border and are very painful. They are often covered with calculus or gingival tissue. It is a progressive disease, usually starting with loss of cementum and dentin and leading to penetration of the pulp cavity. Symptoms of FORLs include mouth pain (caused by dentin exposure), especially while chewing, anorexia, dehydration, weight loss, and tooth fracture. It is one of the most common diseases of domestic cats, affecting up to two-thirds, and is especially common in purebred cats.

With your help, our team at PHPH is trained for and committed to providing your pet with a healthy mouth. We have the sophisticated equipment needed to provide the best dental care possible. Our overall goal is to avoid having to sedate your pet to correct tooth problems but your pet needs your help in attaining this goal.