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Your beloved pet's visit with the dentist is a lot more than
removing tartar from teeth. Our goal is to restore your four-legged
family member's mouth to its normal, fresh, healthy state! Having
your pet's teeth professionally evaluated and cleaned is one of the
most important medical treatments you can invest in that will
result in long-term good health.
We are committed to keeping your pet's teeth as healthy as
possible. The condition of the oral cavity of each pet is different
and treatments will be adjusted to fit their needs.
A general health and preliminary oral examination will be
performed in order to identify obvious health and oral issues. A
complete oral examination can only be performed under general
anesthesia. Part of the anesthetic workup may include blood work,
urinalysis, chest x-rays and an electrocardiogram (EKG) of the
heart to evaluate what is going on inside of your pet's body.
During general anesthesia, intravenous (IV) fluids will be given
to help maintain proper blood flow to internal organs and tissues.
All vital signs including EKG, blood pressure and temperature will
be continually monitored during the anesthetic procedure.
Additional warmth (if needed) can be provided by a gentle stream of
warmed air or a warmwater blanket.
A complete oral examination and dental charting will be
performed. This charting includes noting any missing, loose,
fractured, extra or abnormal teeth. The surrounding soft tissues in
the mouth will be checked for masses, abnormal gum tissue or signs
of infection. Teeth cleaning begins with removal of tartar from the
crowns and is followed by cleaning the teeth below the gum line.
Simply removing the tartar from the crowns makes the teeth look
better, but cleaning the teeth below the gum line is extremely
important in controlling dental disease.
The sulcus around the teeth will be evaluated using an
instrument called a periodontal probe. This measures the depth of
the small pocket around each tooth and helps us determine if
periodontal disease is affecting any of the teeth. Teeth with
abnormal measurements will be x-rayed to determine what is going on
below the gum line. Teeth affected with periodontal disease will be
treated by cleaning the root surface and application of an
antibiotic gel (Doxirobe™) or extracted, depending on the
severity.
Any teeth noted to be fractured or missing teeth will be
x-rayed. Evaluation of missing teeth is necessary to determine if
they were never formed, if they are impacted or if the crowns are
fractured and the roots left behind to become infected. Fractured
teeth are x-rayed to determine if the pulp cavity has been
compromised and needs root canal therapy or extraction. Fractured
teeth should never be ignored as this could lead to an abscess and
possibly cause disease in other body organs (liver, kidneys, heart,
etc). Fractures of the enamel and dentin that do not expose pulp
can be treated with composites or sealants to prevent further
damage. Intraoperative and postoperative pain management will be
provided for your pet's oral comfort.
After all teeth are appropriately treated, they are polished to
remove any scratches that might be present on the crown. The teeth
are completely dried and a barrier sealant (Oravet®) is applied to
decrease the rate at which plaque attaches to the crown.
After the cleaning and treatments are completed, your pet will
be awakened from general anesthesia. Postoperative monitoring will
continue until your pet is discharged from the hospital.
Home care is extremely important in maintaining the oral health
of your family friend. You will be provided instructions and home
products for you to use. These products will vary as we attempt to
find the right combination of home dental care that works best for
you and your beloved four-legged family member.
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Pets are an important part of our lives for many years. Good
dental care is essential to extend your pet's life span and assure
a good quality of life. Just like you, your pet needs to receive
daily dental care at home. It is best to begin home care when the
puppy or kitten is between 8 and 12 weeks of age; however, it is
never too late. If the animal has any accumulated tartar, it must
be removed ultrasonically at the clinic. This process, called a
prophylaxis, will allow you to start your home care with teeth that
are free of plaque and tartar and will make your efforts easier and
more effective.
The daily brushing process should be pleasant for both you and
your pet. Many pets enjoy the added attention while many owners
look forward to the close quality time spent with their companion
animal.
The supplies you need are a finger brush and CET pet dentifrice.
Most animals accept brushing very well if they are introduced to
the procedure in a calm and patient way. The best way is as
follows:
- Day 1: Gently pet and scratch the muzzle, slowly lifting the
lip for about 30 seconds. Reward with a treat at the end of the
session.
- Day 2: Repeat as above except gently run your finger over your
pet's teeth for 30 to 45 seconds. Reward and praise again.
- Day 3: Repeat Day 2, adding 15 seconds time to running your
finger over your pet's teeth. Always reward with praise and
treat.
- Day 4: If all is going well, insert the finger brush over your
index finger and then gently insert into your pet's mouth and rub
the teeth for about 30 seconds.
- Day 5: Repeat as above and increase the time the finger brush
is in your pet's mouth by 30 seconds.
- Day 6: Repeat as above, adding a small amount of the CET
dentifrice to the finger brush and gently pass it over the
teeth.
- Day 7: You know your pet best of all. If you feel that he/she
is accepting the brushing well, gradually increase the brushing
time until you are able to spend at least one minute on each
side.
At any time that your pet is resistant, stop and wait until the
next day. If your pet is still resistant, contact our office and
our technicians will be happy to assist you.
Helpful Hints
- Be patient. Take time with the process or else the pet may
become resistant.
- Praise your pet. It's a new experience and praising your pet
will make him or her more receptive.
- Reward your pet with treats at the end of each session.
Remember, always make it fun!
- Stop immediately if your pet shows any signs of aggression.
Call the hospital for advice.
- Human toothpaste is for humans and NOT for pets. It is common
for human toothpaste to cause stomach problems and even
vomiting.
- Brushing the teeth at home will decrease the frequency of
professional dental care.
- Remember, always make it fun!