Dental & Oral Surgery

Dental cleanings are integral and important to maintain a healthy pet. During a dental cleaning a patient is placed under general anesthesia. A vital systems monitor is placed on the patient to assess continuous ECG, blood pressure temperature, and oxygenation. The teeth are ultrasonically scaled, pockets cleaned, and enamel polished. If problems are identified, we will try to repair or extract the tooth. Preventative dental care include brushing teeth daily, oral rinses, and dental specific diet and treats.

Oral surgery includes gum flaps made to access the deeper tooth structures for cleaning or removal. After the procedure, the gums are sutured back in place. Oral surgery is performed with local nerve blocks in the mouth while the patient is under general anesthesia. Additional training is often required for a veterinarian to feel comfortable with the type of surgery. At Kinslow Veterinary Clinic we are proud to offer more advanced dental care to our patients.

Periodental disease is the number one health problem in small animal patients; however, patients generally show minimal outward clinical signs; consequently, therapy often is not initiated until late in the disease course. If Periodental diseases is the number one health problem in small animal patients then it is also one of the most under treated diseases.

Local mouth disease consequences are bad breath, gingivitis, tooth loosening, bone infection, and tooth fractures.

Systemic disease consequences are kidney damage, liver inflammation, heart valve disease, and immune stimulation.

DENTAL DISEASES IN DOGS & CATS

General Information
Dental calculus (tarter) is composed of various mineral salts, organic material and food particles. In the early stages of accumulation, the material is soft (plaque), but it later hardens and adheres to the teeth. Continual accumulation causes inflammation of the gums and eventual recession of the gums and causes loose teeth. the breath becomes very odorous and the mouth becomes a dangerous source of infection.

Untreated tooth and gum disease may allow bacterial to enter the bloodstream and cause damage to the valves of the heart.

Prevention
• Feed Hard or course foods.
• Provide rawhide, hard rubber or nylon chew toys or hard treat foods. Remember that the treat foods are a source calories and may lead to obesity if too many are given.
• Brush your pet’s teeth periodically. Your veterinarian can provide a special enzymatic toothpaste developed for the teeth of cats and dogs. Abrasive dental cleaning pads are also helpful in cleaning the teeth. Water and baking soda can be used with a soft toothbrush but are less effective than toothpaste developed for animals.