Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Why should I clean my pet's teeth?

Welcome to our blog!!  My plan is to put out some information to help pet owners understand some of the the issues that we see  in patients, and ways to correct or manage them.  In doing so, we hope to help your friend and companion to live a long and healthy life. Watch for the link on our facebook page to see when new information is available.  Thanks for reading!  Dr. McLaughlin


Why should I clean my pet's teeth?

Normal chewing leaves small particles of food that stick to your cat or dog's teeth. As these bits start to break down, bacteria move in and "set up shop" (yuck) with the decaying debris (yuck again!) and form placque- which then hardens into tartar. As the tartar starts to build up, it begins to push under the gum line and, later, in between the tooth root and the bone.  This leads to gum inflammation and pain, bone degeneration and ultimately tooth loosening and loss. In severe cases, infection can spread to the bones of the jaws, causing weakening and damage.  Additionally, the bacteria in the tartar may use the blood vessels in the inflamed gums as a pathway to the rest of the body and lead to infections in other areas, most commonly heart or kidneys.

How do you tell if your dog or cat needs a dental cleaning? You may notice a tan or brown buildup on your pet's teeth, and some bad breath as well. (Those kisses aren't quite as sweet as they used to be, right?)  In more advanced cases you may notice pain when the mouth is touched, pawing or rubbing at the face, or chewing on only one side of the mouth.

By cleaning the teeth, the tartar and bacteria are removed and the gums can heal.  Teeth that are starting to get loose may reattach and become firm again.  The constant source of bacteria in your pet's body is cleared up, and he will be healthier and feel better in general.  Mouth odor will be reduced, and you will enjoy those doggy and kitty kisses again!!

How often do the teeth need to be cleaned?  Just like people, the rate and amount of tartar buildup will vary. Annual exams give us an opportunity to evaluate dental health and make recommendations on cleaning.

So, it's time to "lift that lip" and take a look into your pet's mouth-- or let us take a look for you!

Dr. Mc