Centers for Oral Care
New England & New York
Animal Dental Health Services
No. 20~ 23February2017
DH DeForge, VMD
Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry
When Should I See An
Animal Dentist?
Do you remember taking your child to the dentist for the first
time? It may have been a lark or it may
have been a catastrophe but it will always be a loving memory.
What about your first visit to an animal dentist. Maybe you have never met an animal dentist; do not know who they are; or why you would
ever need to visit an animal dentist.
Read on!
Most veterinarians are highly trained in routine oral care. They perform teeth cleanings and help treat
the earliest form of Periodontal Disease called GINGIVITIS. Years ago before veterinary dentists entered
the theater of oral care if a veterinarian did not know the cause of a tooth
problem and……… because that general practitioner did not have dental x-ray……….
all “abnormal” teeth were extracted.
Today, veterinary dentists applaud the veterinary general
practice doctor who has taken the time to take continuing education courses in
the routine oral care of their patients and have brought dental x-ray to their
hospital. The animal dentist and the
general practice doctor have become a strong team in the New Millennium!
Yes, times have changed with the advent of modern animal
dentistry. There are now veterinary
dentists available to help companions who suffer from a plethora of oral
problems. The question to ponder is when should you seek out an animal dentist?
A
Good Question:
That is a good question.
First and foremost, you should speak with your local doctor of
veterinary medicine who will guide you in this referral. Most general veterinary practitioners are
educated and trained to treat early forms of gum disease. Some take extra
training to learn the skills required to treat more advanced forms of disease.
Animal dentists work hand in hand with general veterinary doctors to diagnose
and manage periodontal and other dental problems as part of a multi-team one-medicine
approach.
Let us take a simple
example: diseases of the gums in companion animals. Early “gum-disease” is most often treated by
general practice veterinary doctors. Advanced “gum disease is, commonly, referred to an
animal dentist.
Let us look at the human model.
When a human general dentist sees that the “gum-disease” they are
treating is not responding they call in a periodontist! Why a periodontist? Let us look at the word periodontist (“peri”
– means around; “odont” – means tooth) A
Periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of abnormal bone and
connective tissues that surround and support your teeth!
Animal dentistry has not broken up into the many sub-
specialties found in human dentistry.
One of the roles that animal dentists have taken on is the role of “animal
periodontist”! They have become an
advanced alternative in the diagnosis and treatment of all disorders and
diseases of the supporting structures of the teeth.
Periodontal (gum) disease
is a broad term for a group of different diseases, all of which have the same
outcome: loss of attachment of the gingiva and mucosa, connective tissue, and
bone to the teeth.
It is described as the
Periodontal Attachment Apparatus. The "attachment
apparatus," refers to the cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone that
attaches the tooth to the bone. Most periodontal diseases
are caused by the bacterial biofilm that collects around the teeth from
ineffective oral hygiene coupled with a defective immune system.
Today, animal periodontal medicine encompasses how periodontal
disease and systemic (general body) disease impact each other. Recent studies
have reported that almost fifty percent of companion animals over four years of
age suffer from some form of periodontal disease.
How Do You Know Your Pet Has Periodontal (Gum)
Disease?
Early warning signs may be slight bleeding when you brush your
pet’s teeth; slight redness and inflammation of the gum margins; and bad
breath. Your pet may be avoiding treats
that are hard; or only will eat canned or table food; and refuses dry dog food.
Later symptoms and consequences that you will recognize include abscesses,
loose or moving teeth, and ultimately tooth loss. All of these can cause pain to your pet!
The treatment of the different forms of periodontal diseases
depends upon their cause. Accurate diagnosis begins with a comprehensive
periodontal oral health assessment and evaluation with dental x-rays by the
animal dentist!
Most early to moderate periodontal diseases have one common
treatment objective: Instructing the pet
owner in achieving optimum daily biofilm removal and (plaque) control. This is achieved with a selective form of
professional care coupled with a homecare anti-plaque program that is unique to
the pet being treated. Your pet receives
a thorough professional teeth cleaning — known as scaling and root planing or
root debridement. Moderate to advanced
disease may require surgical periodontal treatment.
If you have a periodontal concern, a good place to start is by
talking to your general animal doctor or family veterinarian who will refer you
to an animal dentist if they feel that your condition warrants it; or if your
treatment needs are beyond the scope of that particular general practice animal
doctor. Any general veterinary doctor who treats periodontal gum disease must
treat to the same standards as an animal dentist; therefore if you are accepted
for treatment, you should be in good hands.
If you have already seen a general practice veterinary doctor and
you would like a second opinion; you should
seek the animal dentist of your choice or ask for a referral from your family
veterinarian. It is helpful if you have
your previous dental and medical records available for the animal dentist. It is always best for your regular doctor of
veterinary medicine to work as a team with the animal dentist.
If you are concerned that you may have advanced periodontal
disease or you already have periodontal disease coupled with systemic disease
such as diabetes; kidney disease; liver disease; hypertension; or cardiovascular
[heart] disease, you may consider seeing an animal dentist immediately.
Other
Reasons to Seek Out An Animal Dentist:
Jaw fractures
Oral Pain
Broken Teeth that need Root Canals
Cats and Dog with Oral Ulcers
Tumors or Growths in the Mouth
Stomatitis Disease in Cats
Difficult Extractions-especially in toy and small breeds
Boxers with overgrowth of gum tissue
Cats and dogs with cavities
Occlusion Problems
The animal dentist wears “many hats” and has been trained to
perform procedures in all intradisciplines of dentistry. Talk to your general doctor and get their
input and advice on a referral to an animal dentist about any of the above
problems. Never let a pet live in pain! When seeking out an animal dentist “hope is
on the way” for a pain free quality of
life.
