Dental Maintenance

Introduction

Why do we brush our teeth every day? Most people would answer, “To prevent cavities and gum disease.” But what about our pets? How many people brush their dogs’ and cats’ teeth daily? It’s challenging to maintain daily oral hygiene for pets, as their oral environment differs from ours. In dogs and cats, plaque transforms into tartar over five times faster than in humans. If left untreated, plaque turns into tartar within three days and can cause periodontal inflammation within two weeks. Regular brushing can only remove plaque, not tartar. Untreated tartar leads to periodontal disease or pyorrhea and can escalate, spreading bacteria from the mouth throughout the body, causing severe conditions. Therefore, regular dental care under anesthesia is recommended.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease isn’t just a surface issue; it’s a serious inflammatory condition that affects the bone structure. Here’s a detailed explanation of its progression and impact.

Definition and Progression of Periodontal Disease

  1. Initial Stage (Gingivitis)
    • Plaque accumulates between the teeth and gums, causing inflammation.
    • This stage is reversible with proper care.
  2. Progressive Stage (Periodontitis)
    • The inflammation spreads to deeper tissues, destroying the periodontal ligament.
    • Inflammatory products begin to erode the alveolar bone (jawbone).
  3. Advanced Stage
    • Bone resorption progresses, significantly damaging the supporting structures of the teeth.
    • Abscesses may form, increasing the risk of tooth mobility or loss.

Severe Impacts of Periodontal Disease

  1. Bone Resorption
    • The supporting alveolar bone deteriorates, weakening the jawbone.
    • In severe cases, this increases the risk of mandibular fractures.
  2. Oro-nasal Fistula Formation
    • The thin bone between the upper tooth roots and nasal cavity can erode, creating a passage.
    • This leads to chronic rhinitis due to ineffective medication treatments.
  3. Periapical Abscess Formation
    • Suppurative inflammation occurs around the tooth root and its surrounding area, forming abscesses.
    • Severe cases may cause swelling under the eyes or pus discharge through the skin.

Common Dental Issues in Cats

In addition to periodontal disease, cats may face the following problems:

  1. Gingivostomatitis
    • An inflammatory condition affecting local or widespread areas of the mouth.
    • Factors include feline calicivirus, Pasteurella bacteria, and immune deficiencies (FIV).
  2. Tooth Resorptive Lesions (FORL)
    • A disease where the tooth structure dissolves from within.
    • Though the exact cause is unclear, it’s linked to abnormal immune responses and inflammatory cytokines.
    • As the condition progresses, teeth become brittle and may eventually fracture.

These issues can cause symptoms like drooling, bad breath, pain-induced appetite loss, and weight loss. Gingivostomatitis, in particular, is a chronic, challenging disease requiring appropriate treatment and management. Early detection and proper treatment can maintain a cat’s quality of life.

Conclusion

Periodontal disease is not just a local oral problem; it significantly affects overall health. Proper care and regular check-ups are essential to maintain healthy teeth and gums and improve pets’ quality of life.

Regular Care to Prevent the Progression of Periodontal Disease

Once periodontal disease progresses, it is challenging to reverse, especially bone resorption. Thus, preventive dental care is crucial.

Two Pillars of Preventive Dental Care

  1. Daily Dental Care
    • Remove food debris and plaque through daily brushing.
    • Helps slow the progression of periodontal disease.
  2. Professional Dental Procedures Under General Anesthesia
    • Annual scaling is recommended.
    • Includes tartar removal and tooth polishing.

Why Both Are Necessary

  • Limitations of Daily Brushing
    • Difficult to care for periodontal pockets.
    • Challenging to clean areas beyond the tooth surface thoroughly.
    • Tartar, once formed, cannot be removed by brushing alone.
  • Need for Professional Treatment
    • Thorough cleaning of periodontal pockets.
    • Removal of firmly attached tartar.
    • Smoothing tooth surfaces to prevent plaque accumulation.

Benefits of Regular Dental Procedures

  1. Prevention of periodontal disease progression.
  2. Improvement of bad breath.
  3. Reduction of pain and discomfort.
  4. Lower risk of systemic diseases.
  5. Enhanced quality of life for pets.

Preventive dental care involves both daily maintenance and professional treatment. Combining these approaches helps maintain your pet’s oral health and supports a comfortable life. Regular dental check-ups and procedures can extend the healthy lifespan of your pets.

Advanced Scaling Procedures for Pets

Scaling is crucial for maintaining the oral health of dogs and cats. Our clinic offers comprehensive and precise dental care using the latest technology.

Preparing for Scaling: General Anesthesia and Advanced Imaging

  1. General Anesthesia
    • Scaling is performed under general anesthesia, ensuring the pet’s safety and comfort and allowing a detailed oral examination.
  2. Dental CT Scan
    • We use advanced dental CT instead of standard X-rays.
    • Benefits of Dental CT:
      • Provides high-resolution, detailed images.
      • Allows multi-angle evaluation of all teeth.
      • Enables precise 3D assessment of teeth and alveolar bone conditions.
    • This scan detects issues invisible to the naked eye (e.g., root abnormalities, bone resorption) and aids in creating an appropriate treatment plan.

Steps of Scaling

  1. Tartar Removal with Scaler
    • Ultrasonic scalers crush and remove tartar without damaging the teeth.
    • Removes both visible tartar and subgingival tartar.
  2. Subgingival Tartar Removal
    • After ultrasonic scaling, remaining tartar in periodontal pockets is manually removed.
    • Normal depth of periodontal pockets:
      • Small dogs: 1-2mm
      • Large dogs: 3mm
    • Deep pockets may indicate periodontal disease, requiring further treatment, possibly including extractions.
  3. Tooth Polishing
    • After tartar removal, the tooth surface is polished to smooth any microscopic scratches.
    • Polishing reduces plaque and tartar reattachment.
    • Special polishing paste and a rotary polisher are used.

Importance of Annual Scaling

To prevent periodontal disease progression, annual scaling is recommended. In 2019, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reported that annual tartar removal reduces mortality risk by 18.3%. Even with pre-existing conditions, dental procedures can often be performed safely, improving overall health.

Risks of Anesthesia-Free Tartar Removal

Anesthesia-free tartar removal is highly dangerous and ineffective from a veterinary perspective. Here are the key reasons and expert opinions.

Problems with Anesthesia-Free Tartar Removal

  1. Ineffectiveness in Treating Periodontal Disease
    • Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria and inflammatory products in periodontal pockets, not just surface tartar.
    • Removing surface tartar without addressing the root cause has no substantial treatment effect.
  2. Negative Impact on Patients
    • Pain and fear during the conscious procedure.
    • Increased resistance to future dental care.
  3. Medical Risks
    • Oral injuries and bacteremia (bacteria entering the bloodstream).
    • Increased risk of serious complications like jaw fractures due to lack of imaging.
    • Risk of aspiration pneumonia from tartar or plaque entering the airway.
  4. Incomplete Treatment
    • Difficult to remove all debris from periodontal pockets.
    • Risk of injuring eyes or face with sharp tools.

Expert Opinions

Reputable veterinary organizations opposing anesthesia-free tartar removal include:

  • Japanese Society of Veterinary Dentistry
  • World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
  • American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
  • American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
  • American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC)

Post-Scaling Daily Care

Make daily brushing a habit.

Importance of Daily Brushing

  • Essential for maintaining oral health after scaling.
  • Recommended frequency: At least once every three days, preferably daily.
  • Short, daily sessions are more effective and easier to incorporate into routines.

Key Areas to Focus on

  • Upper canine teeth.
  • Upper fourth premolars (largest molars).
  • Incisors (front teeth).

Brushing Technique

  • Use pet-specific toothbrushes and toothpaste.
  • Gently brush the gum line and tooth surface.
  • Start with short sessions and gradually increase the duration.

Additional Oral Care

  • Use dental treats and toys.
  • Apply specialized oral care products (gels, sprays, etc.).
  • Note: These should supplement, not replace, brushing.

Our Clinic’s Support System

Brushing Lessons

  • Provided by veterinary nurses to teach correct techniques.
  • Address concerns and questions.
Teeth Brushing Lessons

Regular Check-Ups

  • Recommended to monitor the effectiveness of dental care.
  • Early detection and intervention of issues.

Summary

Post-scaling daily care is crucial for maintaining pets’ oral and overall health. Combining regular brushing with appropriate oral care products and veterinary check-ups supports a healthy life. If you have any concerns or questions about dental care, feel free to consult our clinic.