Winter 2010 - PAWS Chicago

A Guide to
Pet Dental
Care
The gnawing concerns from
owners about veterinary
dental hygiene.
By Dr. Barbara Royal, DVM
QCan you clean an animal’s teeth without anesthesia • If a tooth is broken, does it have to
be removed • Isn’t bad dog breath unavoidable • Which is safer: rawhides, compressed
vegetable chew treats, synthetic bones, cooked bones, raw bones, or none of the above •
Why do some dogs have more tartar than others • Do I really need to brush my dog’s teeth –
and for heaven’s sake, chicken flavored toothpaste – ugh! • What about dry food
What do you think of when you think
about dental tartar and dental disease in
your pet Maybe bad breath or trouble
chewing, but usually we don’t link dental
disease with any serious health risks.
Unfortunately, this assumption is
not true. Indeed, dental disease can
contribute to serious health problems.
These include heart and lung disease,
diabetes, gastrointestinal problems,
kidney disease, leukemia, cancers,
abscesses and gum disease. So clearly it’s
not just about a pretty smile. Dental care
is important to systemic health.
Many pet owners are nervous about
doing a dental cleaning because of the
risks associated with anesthesia. This
is a valid concern, but at the same time,
many animals need to have the full
anesthetic procedure to properly clean
the teeth under the gums and maybe to
do extractions and/or treat cavities.
What is possible without anesthesia
With a proper assessment and a
good temperament (both animal and
veterinary), it is possible to chip off tartar
and polish teeth while they are awake.
Is a dental cleaning without
anesthesia a good idea
It is certainly not perfect. But where
animals have an otherwise healthy
mouth and willing temperament, it may
be worth doing to avoid the risks of
anesthesia. Non-anesthesia dentals can
still significantly improve breath, dental
condition and overall health.
It’s difficult to fully clean under the
gums with an awake animal. And clearly
no extractions or dental radiographs are
possible. But a lot can be done without
anesthesia. And sometimes, in animals
that cannot tolerate anesthesia, cleaning
the teeth this way may be a useful
alternative.
At my practice, after a careful
dental assessment by the veterinarian,
we schedule an hour-long cleaning
appointment, and have extra staff
available to help calm and hold up the
lips. With calm pets, we often clean all
the teeth in one appointment. Some
animals need a break and we schedule
several shorter visits. After removing the
tartar, we can then polish the teeth with a
pumice and gauze to help keep the tartar
from returning.
There is always the risk, after chipping
off tartar, of finding something more
sinister below, requiring anesthesia to
repair or remove. But if you are prepared
for that possibility, it is reasonable to try.
Once teeth are clean, you can keep them
that way by brushing. It’s even helpful if
you can only get to it a few times a week
(I know how hard it is to keep up on
every day pet toothbrushing.)
Dental disease is also affected by
genetics, chewing behavior, nutrition,
systemic disease, treats, and even stress.
Not every dog is born with a perfect
set of teeth or an even bite. Many dogs
are also born with a tendency to harbor
bacteria that is more prone to produce
tartar.
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