Have you checked your pet’s teeth recently? Do they look yellow or brownish? Does the breath smell?
Dental issues such as the build-up of tartar and resulting gingivitis (gum infection) are not just cosmetic problems! Smelly breath often comes from large numbers of bacteria in your pet’s mouth. As the infection works its way deeper into the gum, those bacteria can enter the bloodstream, cause general infection, affect organs like kidneys, and even cause severe heart problems!
Furthermore, the infection can weaken the bones of the jaws to the point of sudden fractures. So aside from being painful and disgusting, bad teeth are – like humans – a severe general health risk!
The best way to maintain good oral hygiene in your pet is – as in people – the daily cleaning with a toothbrush and doggy toothpaste. However, if things have progressed too far, the toothbrush will have little success.
At Blue Oasis Veterinary Clinic, we have modern dental equipment to thoroughly clean your pet’s teeth with the ultrasound scaler and polisher. Your pet must undergo full anaesthesia for the procedure to reach deep under the gumline and get between the teeth. However, being under anaesthesia ensures that the treatment is pain-free for the patient. At the same time, it allows us to thoroughly check the teeth and gums, find any problem zones, and, if necessary, perform tooth extractions if the defects are too far gone for a cure.
What Is Veterinary Dentistry, And Who Should Perform It?
Veterinary dentistry includes cleaning, adjusting, filing, extracting, or repairing your pets’ teeth and all other aspects of oral health care. A veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist should perform these procedures. Subject to state or provincial regulation, veterinary technicians are allowed to perform specific dental procedures under the supervision of a veterinarian.
The process begins with a veterinarian’s oral exam of your pet’s mouth. Radiographs (x-rays) may be needed to evaluate the jaw’s health and the tooth roots below the gumline. Thorough dental cleaning and evaluation are done under anaesthesia since most dental disease occurs below the gum line, where it is not visible. Dental cleaning includes scaling (to remove dental plaque and tartar) and polishing, similar to the process used on your teeth during regular dental cleanings.
Your pet’s teeth should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:
Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems, and any changes in your pet’s behavior should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. Always be careful when evaluating your pet’s mouth, because a painful animal may bite.
Although cavities are less common in pets than in people, they can have many of the same dental problems that people can develop:
Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats – by the time your pet is 3 years old, he or she will very likely have some early evidence of periodontal disease, which will worsen as your pet grows older if effective preventive measures aren’t taken. Early detection and treatment are critical, because advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet. Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth. Other health problems found in association with periodontal disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes.
It starts with plaque that hardens into tartar. Tartar above the gumline can often easily be seen and removed, but plaque and tartar below the gumline is damaging and sets the stage for infection and damage to the jawbone and the tissues that connect the tooth to the jaw bone. Periodontal disease is graded on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe).
The treatment of periodontal disease involves a thorough dental cleaning and x-rays may be needed to determine the severity of the disease. Your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist will make recommendations based on your pet’s overall health and the health of your pet’s teeth, and provide you with options to consider.
When you go to the dentist, you know that what’s being done is meant to help you and keep your mouth healthy. Your dentist uses techniques to minimize pain and discomfort and can ask you how you are feeling, so you accept the procedures and do your best to keep still. Your pet does not understand the benefit of dental procedures, and he or she reacts by moving, trying to escape, or even biting.
Anesthesia makes it possible to perform the dental procedures with less stress and pain for your pet. In addition, anesthesia allows for a better cleaning because your pet is not moving around and risking injury from the dental equipment. If radiographs (x-rays) are needed, your pet needs to be very still in order to get good images, and this is unlikely without heavy sedation or anesthesia.
Although anesthesia will always have risks, it’s safer now than ever and continues to improve so that the risks are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits. Most pets can go home the same day of the procedure, although they might seem a little groggy for the rest of the day.
Prevention of the most common oral disease in pets consists of frequent removal of the dental plaque and tartar that forms on teeth that are not kept clean. Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth is the single most effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy between dental cleanings, and may reduce the frequency or even eliminate the need for periodic dental cleaning by your veterinarian. Daily brushing is best, but it’s not always possible and brushing several times a week can be effective. Most dogs accept brushing, but cats can be a bit more resistant patience and training are important.
There are many pet products marketed with claims that they improve dental health, but not all of them are effective. Talk with your veterinarian about any dental products, treats, or dental-specific diets you’re considering for your pet, or ask your veterinarian for their recommendation.
Street 70, Next to Premier Inn Hotel, Dubai Investments Park,
Green Community – Dubai, UAE
Our Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday : 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday : 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Damac Hills 2 Community Mall, Dubai, UAE
Our Opening Hours:
Everyday : 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Blue Oasis Veterinary Clinic
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