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Dental Health. Jessica Rychel, BS Fourth Year Veterinary Student CCRP (pending), CVA (pending). Dental Disease-Problematic in Pets Too. Can cause severe infection in face and mouth Can cause organ dysfunction or failure Can be very painful and cause inappetance
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Dental Health • Jessica Rychel, BS • Fourth Year Veterinary Student • CCRP (pending), CVA (pending)
Dental Disease-Problematic in Pets Too • Can cause severe infection in face and mouth • Can cause organ dysfunction or failure • Can be very painful and cause inappetance • More common and more severe in brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs)
Dental Disease in Brachycephalic Breeds • All dogs have 42 teeth total • Brachycephalic dogs have to squish all 42 into a shorter space than most dogs • Crowding of teeth allows greater accumulation of plaque and tartar
Gingivitis • Redness and inflammation around tooth • Can be treated with aggressive home therapy in some cases
Plaque and Calculus Accumulation • As periodontal disease eats into the bone, damage becomes permanent • Requires dental cleaning under general anesthesia • Tooth extraction may be required
An Ounce of Prevention Dental Home Care
Getting Started • Flavored toothpaste Toothbrush- any inexpensive toothbrush with a large firm head
Getting Started • Start slow and make it fun • Gently lift a lip and brush 1-2 teeth • Use flavored toothpaste, so brushing is a treat
Eventually… • Brush all teeth at least once daily • Find a routine- brush every night before bed • Use several flavors to keep your dog’s interest
Dental Chews • Mechanically removes plaque from teeth- may have additional enzymes or antibacterial additives
Tartar Diet- Hill’s t/d • Pattened formula that squeegees plaque from teeth during chewing • Large bites force dog to chew
What to do if your pet has moderate to severe dental disease? • Consult with a general veterinary practitioner that is interested in dentistry for a thorough dental examination • Be prepared for them to recommend dental cleaning under general anesthesia- it is the only way to get teeth clean enough to be maintained at home • Don’t be afraid of tooth extractions- ask your vet if they have dental x-ray to ensure only appropriate teeth are extracted
OraVet • A waxy sealant developed for use in humans to decrease bacterial and tartar from sticking to teeth • People didn’t like the feeling of waxy substance on their teeth • Dogs don’t mind a bit • Your vet will apply first dose just after a thorough dental cleaning • You apply sealant once each week at home
Helpful Resources • Hill’s Pet Nutrition www.hillspet.com • American Animal Hospital Association www.healthypet.com • Oravet by Merial www.oravet.us.merial.com • National Pet Dental Month www.petdental.com