Why are Dental Cleanings Important for Our Pets?

Pets can’t tell us when they have an infected tooth or if they are in pain because of a broken tooth. It is up to us as pet parents to get professional dental cleanings with a veterinarian at least once a year.  We as humans understand why the procedure is important, and we typically do not need sedation or restraint. Neither is true for our pets. Which means that non-anestitized dental proceedures do pose a risk.

Another important difference between human and veterinary dental practice is that humans tell the dentist when there is discomfort; but to ensure that nothing is missed in dogs or cats, our patients require a thorough oral examination as part of a dental scaling procedure. Your veterinary dentist may recommend dental radiographs. Prior to any anesthesia it is important to check the pet’s lab work to check for any abnormalities with your pet’s liver and kidneys and complete blood count to ensure they are safe to go under anesthesia.  In severe cases of periodontal disease the bacteria can spread into the blood stream and can cause bigger problems then bad breath. The real problem develops as plaque and calculus spread under the gum line. Bacteria in this ‘sub-gingival’ plaque set in motion a cycle of damage to the supporting tissues around the tooth, eventually leading to loss of the tooth. Bacteria under the gum line secrete toxins, which contribute to the tissue damage if untreated. These bacteria also stimulate the animal’s immune system. The initial changes cause white blood cells and inflammatory chemical signals to move into the periodontal space (between the gum or bone and the tooth). The function of the white blood cells is to destroy the bacterial invaders, but chemicals released by the overwhelmed white blood cells cause damage to the supporting tissues of the tooth. Instead of helping the problem, the patient’s own protective system actually worsens the disease when there is severe build-up of plaque and tartar. Studies in dogs have shown that periodontal disease is associated with microscopic changes in the heart, liver, and kidneys.

      

      Dental cleanings for animals is just as important as it is for humans. Making sure you are getting the best dental care for your pet is also really important. Ask your local veterinarian if they put your pet under general anesthesia, if they scale under the gum line and if they take radiographs. These simple steps are to ensure that every tooth is being examined one by one, and there is no disease left undetected. So not only do dental cleanings help with bad breath they also help keep your pet and their internal organs healthy.