Yes, Pets Need Regular Dental Care Too!
A pet’s bad breath may be more serious than an aesthetic problem. Bad breath may be a sign of bacteria attacking your pet’s teeth and gums. It may indicate periodontal disease, one of the most common conditions affecting dogs and cats. Just like you, your pet needs dental care, too—regular, professional care from your veterinarian and effective daily home care from you to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by the buildup of bacteria in the plaque that forms on the surface of the teeth. These bacteria can lead to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Periodontal disease can even progress to destroy the gums and tissues that support the teeth which may result in the loosening --and eventual loss -- of the teeth.
There are four recognized stages of periodontal disease.
Check for signs of periodontal disease in your pet’s mouth. The earlier treatment begins, the better the chance is of minimizing damage. Controlling plaque is an important component in the prevention of periodontal disease.
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- Plaque and/or calculus on teeth
- Red and swollen gums with no tooth attachment loss
- Cleaning and prevention at this stage may save teeth
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- Plaque and calculus on teeth
- Red and swollen gums, bad breath
- Loss of tooth attachment up to 25%
- Potentially reversible with treatment.
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- Plaque and/or calculus on teeth
- Bleeding gums, sore mouth, bad breath
- Loss of tooth attachment between 25% and 50%
- Permanent damage
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- Severe gingivitis with bleeding gums, pus, bad breath
- Loss of tooth attachment greater than 50%
- Loose teeth
- Permanent damage
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Make it a priority to prevent periodontal disease.
The dangers of periodontal disease go beyond bad breath and lost teeth. Left untreated, periodontal diseases may cause changes in your pets’ kidneys, heart, and liver. Consequently, proper oral health care, including treatment and prevention, is important for the optimum health and quality of life of your pet.
Contributing Factors
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Ignoring the condition of your pet’s mouth can lead to periodontal disease, tooth loss and other serious health problems, such as heart, liver and kidney failure.
- Breed: Periodontal disease is more common in smaller breeds of dogs and certain breeds of cats.
- Age: Periodontal disease is more common as pets grow older.
Steps to Better Oral Care
The first step toward good oral health is a Dental health Checkup.
1- SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Every regular exam in our clinic includes a thorough dental exam. If we find signs of disease, Dr. Kureshi will recommend a treatment plan. It is important for the overall health of your pet that we take care of any dental problems we find. We will also recommend a home care plan that is a key part of keeping your pet healthy.
2-START AN ORAL CARE ROUTINE AT HOME
Plaque should be removed from your pet’s teeth every day before it mineralizes into tartar. Brushing your pet’s teeth or feeding a dental food each day will control plaque buildup.Be sure the dental food you use offers total balanced nutrition for whole health. Ask us about the best methods of home care for your pet
3-SCHEDULE REGULAR DENTAL CHECKUPS
We monitor the progress of your pet’s preventive program, so regular dental checkups are essential, just as twice-a-year checkups are important for people. For pets who form tartar quickly or those with a history of oral problems, frequent examinations and cleanings may be advised.
Content used with permission; based on material provided by: Merial Limited, Hill's Pet Nutrition
FAQ’s - DENTAL
Why is it important to have my pet’s teeth cleaned regularly?
Like people, pets need regular dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup. If not removed, this buildup may lead to periodontal disease and more serious health problems. To help keep your pets teeth healthy, Cupertino Animal Hospital recommends regular dental checkups, dental cleaning and the use of the OraVet System. To learn more about the OraVet system, read the FAQ’s below. If you have additional questions, please feel free to give us a call to discuss if OraVet is right for your pet.
I feed my pet a dental diet or dental chews. Isn’t that enough to keep its teeth clean?
Dental diets and dental chews can scrape off plaque above the gum line to varying degrees, but do little to remove plaque under the gum line. After a thorough cleaning and application of Oravet Barrier Sealant, continued use of Oravet at home prevents bacteria from adhering to your pet’s teeth, so it significantly reduces plaque and tartar formation above and below the gum line.
What is the OraVet System?
After an in-clinic dental cleaning, OraVet barrier sealant is applied to protect cleaned teeth. To maintain this protective barrier, apply OraVet Plaque Prevention Gel to your pet’s gum line weekly at home. In addition to reducing bacteria that can cause bad breath, OraVet Plaque Prevention Gel may help extend the time between cleanings.
Is the OraVet System safe for my pet?
Absolutely. OraVet Barrier Sealant and OraVet Plaque Prevention Gel are non-toxic and may be used in pets of any age.
If I brush my pet’s teeth regularly, should I still use OraVet Plaque Prevention Gel?
Yes. The gel is effective with or without regular brushing and it’s easy to integrate into your regular pet dental care routine. Simply apply the gel once a week as directed.
Why does Cupertino Animal Hospital use and recommend OraVet?
OraVet has been clinically proven to significantly reduce plaque and tartar formation. What’s more, easy once-a-week application makes it convenient for pet owners to use.
Where can I buy OraVet Plaque Prevention Gel?
The OraVet system is available exclusively through your veterinarian.
Common Questions About the Porphyromonas Vaccine
How often will my dog be vaccinated?
Your dog will initially receive two doses of the Porphyromonas vaccine, given three weeks apart. Dr. Kureshi will advise you on the number and frequency of future vaccinations your dog may need.
When is it safe to vaccinate my dog?
Safety was demonstrated in dogs 7 weeks of age and older.
What if my dog already has periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease can progress to four different stages. There can even be different stages of involvement in different teeth within the same dog's mouth. Appropriate periodontal therapy should be administered to restore health to the teeth; however, all teeth can potentially benefit from the Porphyromonas vaccine.
If my dog receives the vaccine, are cleaning and brushing still necessary?
The Porphyromonas vaccines should be used as part of a total dental care package that includes at-home care and professional cleanings. Even with the use of the Porphyromonas vaccine, tartar and plaque may still develop.
What else should I do to keep my dogs's mouth healthy?
Dr. Kureshi will recommend the most appropriate treatment for your dog.
What are the possible side effects of the Porphyromonas vaccine?
As with any vaccine, the potential for side effects after vaccination exists. If you notice anything unusual, please call our clinic to discuss with Dr. Kureshi.
Content used with permission; based on material provided by: Merial Limited and Pfizer Animal Health
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