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By: Angelica Bialek, DVM  Brushing at least every 2 days is recommended Symptoms of dental disease vary greatly. Some animals have bad breath (halitosis ) and some my be painful in the mouth area, having swelling under the eye, or even stop eating, other have no symptoms at all. If any of the listed problems are noticed, an exam by your veterinarian should be done to determine the extent of dental disease and the treatments that are needed. Teeth development. Your pets deciduous or baby teeth start to fall at for months of age. Some small dogs will not lose their tooth as they normally should and if left in they will cause crowding problems. Small dogs will also have more congenital deformities than large dogs, which can cause overcrowding of teeth. Those problems require more frequent dental exams and cleaning as well as removal of teeth to allow for a cleaner, more normal mouth. Dental disease begins with bacterial plaque formed on the teeth. As the problem progress, debris continues to accumulate and tartar forms. The tartar eventually causes inflammation of the gums (lat. gingiva ) – what is called gingivitis. Any degree of gingivitis is significant and requires a teeth cleaning. If untreated, root infections, recessed gums or systemic problems can occur. Affected organs. The heart is one of the main organs that can be affected by dental disease. The bacteria from the gums travel through the blood stream and settle on the heart valves. This can lead to the heart failure. Other organs affected include the kidneys and liver. Examination. Annual to biannual exams of your pet are recommended. This includes a dental exam as well as full body examination. Blood work prior to a cleaning is needed to determine over all health of you pet.  Annual to biannual exams of your pet are recommended. Teeth cleaning. A proper cleaning of your pet’s teeth and gums can be accomplished only under general anesthesia. The anesthesia also eliminates anxiety and discomfort that may come from ultrasonic cleaning. Once the tartar is removed, the gums are generally cleaned. Lastly, we polish the teeth to make it more difficult for bacteria to adhere to the teeth and start the cycle over. Prevention. If possible, routine preventive care is important. As we brush our teeth twice daily, our pets need brushing too. This can prolong periods between dental cleaning as it keeps the gums healthy and prevents tartar build up. Brushing at least every 2 days is recommended. Other problems, like toot root abscesses, broken teeth or cavities are frequently seen. Your veterinarian can discuss your options for treatment of specific problems with you. Dental care – essential for long and healthy life. As we become more knowledgeable in animal health, we realize that proper dental care does more than just make our pet’s breath smell better. It is an important part of a long and healthy life.
Find more: YouTube VideosHow To Clean Your Dog's Teeth
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