Explained: The Pet Dental Health Exam
Ever wondered what really goes on when your pet gets their teeth cleaned? At Revel, there are no secrets! We are pulling back the curtain on some of our most frequently asked questions regarding cat and dog dental health.
To Begin, Why is Pet Dental Care So Important?
Believe it or not, dental health is related to a chain of reactions affecting overall health.
When plaque builds up on your dog or cat’s teeth (and hardens into tartar), it causes bad breath and bacteria growth.
Tartar above the gumline can often be easily seen and removed, but plaque and tartar below the gumline is damaging and sets the stage for infection and damage.
As bacteria and tartar grows, it leads to gum inflammation, which can cause gum disease, pain, and eventual tooth loss.
The inflamed gums then open the doors to allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, bacteria can travel throughout the body and negatively impact the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Enter: Veterinary dentistry! Veterinary dentistry includes the cleaning, extraction, and repair of your pets’ teeth, as well as all other aspects of oral health care.
What Does a Cat and Dog Dental Exam Look Like?
From beginning to end, this is an overview of the standard Revel Vet process:
- Pre-Anesthetic Blood Work: Before any dental procedure, pre-anesthetic blood tests are conducted to assess your pet’s organ function and identify any potential risks or abnormalities.
- IV Fluids and Anesthesia: Your dog will receive intravenous fluids and general anesthesia. The anesthesia plan is individualized to your pet’s specific needs and is closely monitored throughout the procedure.
- Digital Dental X-Rays: Dental radiographs are taken to get a complete picture of your pet’s oral health. These x-rays help identify issues such as periodontal disease, fractured teeth, and oral cancer that are not visible during a routine examination.
- Oral Examination: A thorough oral exam is performed by a Revel Veterinarian. This examination includes checking for signs of dental disease, broken teeth, and other oral health issues.
- Teeth Cleaning and Polishing: The teeth are cleaned both above and below the gum line using hand instruments and ultrasonic tools. This cleaning helps remove plaque and calculus buildup. After cleaning, the teeth are polished to smooth the surfaces and reduce future plaque accumulation.
- Periodontal Treatment: If necessary, further periodontal therapy is performed, which may include deep cleaning below the gum line, treating periodontal pockets, or extracting severely affected teeth.
- Post-Procedure Care: Detailed dental x-rays, EKG, and anesthetic charts are provided. Post-care instructions, as well as recommended treats and products, are given to ensure proper healing and ongoing oral health maintenance.
This comprehensive approach ensures that your pet’s dental health is thoroughly assessed and treated, promoting long-term dental health.
Why Does Dentistry Require Anesthesia?
Because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, where you can’t see it, a thorough dental cleaning and evaluation are performed under anesthesia.
Anesthesia allows veterinarians to perform a comprehensive examination of the pet’s mouth, including areas below the gum line and between teeth that would be inaccessible in a conscious pet. This thorough examination is essential for diagnosing and treating dental diseases effectively.
When you go to the dentist, you know that what’s being done is meant to help you and keep your mouth healthy. Your dentist uses techniques to minimize pain and discomfort and can ask you how you are feeling, so you accept the procedures and do your best to keep still. Your pet does not understand the benefit of dental procedures, and often reacts by moving, trying to escape, or even biting.
Dental procedures can be painful, especially if they involve extractions, deep cleaning, or treatment of periodontal disease. Anesthesia provides pain relief and prevents the pet from experiencing distress or discomfort during the procedure.
In addition, anesthesia allows for a better cleaning because your pet is not moving around and risking injury from the dental equipment. For radiographs (x-rays), your pet needs to be very still in order to get good images, and this is unlikely without heavy sedation or anesthesia.
Although anesthesia will always have risks, it’s safer now than ever and continues to improve so that the risks are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits. Pets can go home the same day of the procedure, although they might seem a little groggy for the rest of the day.
Should I Be Worried About My Older Pet Undergoing Anesthesia?
While it is understandable to be concerned about your older pet undergoing anesthesia for a dental procedure, we take every precaution to ensure their safety.
For one, we conduct a thorough pre-anesthetic assessment, including blood work, to evaluate your pet’s overall health and check for any underlying conditions, such as kidney, liver, or heart problems, that might increase the risk of anesthesia.
We also tailor anesthesia protocols to suit the specific needs of older pets, selecting the safest anesthetic agents, adjusting dosages, and closely monitoring the pet throughout the procedure.
Administering IV fluids during the procedure helps maintain blood pressure, support kidney function, and facilitate a smoother recovery from anesthesia.
Once in post-op, we take care to help older pets have a smooth recovery.
These measures significantly reduce the likelihood of complications, even for older pets. If you have any concerns, feel free to ask us questions. We are happy to have a conversation with you!
Why Should Pets Get Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings?
In summary, your pet’s dental health is an important part of their overall wellbeing.
Regular dental exams:
- Prevent periodontal disease
- Allow for early detection of any dental issues
- Prevent secondary health problems
- Identify painful conditions that pets often do not show signs of, and therefore improve quality of life
- Reduce plaque, tartar buildup, and bad breath
- And, most importantly, contributes to a long, healthy life!
This August, we are offering 20% off our Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment appointments with a FREE take-home pet dental care kit.
Request an appointment today to get your pet’s dental exam on the schedule!
