Our Four-Legged Friends Need Dentists Too
Would you let your hairdresser clean your teeth? No, probably not.
Yet many pet owners are allowing unskilled people to do just that to their four-legged friends.
Owners whose pets receive cosmetic dental care often believe that such care is adequate and may fail to seek proper care.
Periodontal (gum) disease, a result of improper teeth cleaning, can lead to kidney, liver, and heart disease.
At best, subsequent professional dental care will be extensive and costly.
Periodontal disease is the single greatest challenge in dentistry and it is the most frequently seen condition in the veterinary hospital.
Gum disease affects 85 per cent of dogs and cats over three years of age.
This disease of the supportive structures of the teeth is progressive, unrelenting, usually non-regenerative, and incurable.
With proper care, however, it is manageable, and one must think prevention rather than cure when thinking about disease.
Periodontal disease begins in the sulcus, the groove between the gum and the tooth.
Plaque attaches itself to the tooth, mineralize's and becomes tarter.
This hard material irritates and inflames the gums, and loose teeth, abscesses, severe halitosis and general poor health ensue.
Plaque can be deposited on the tooth's surface as quickly as six hours following prophylaxis (dental cleaning).
This is why veterinarians recommend brushing your pet's teeth regularly, preferably daily.
The most dangerous aspect of periodontal disease is that build-up below the gum line is not obvious to the untrained eye.
It can only be detected by a trained person using a dental explorer.
The untrained tooth cleaner will remove material for cosmetic reasons, while the disease process is left untreated to advance above or below the gum line.
Most pets as well do not enjoy fingers and instruments in their mouths and only the veterinarian is trained and skilled in the use of today's sedatives and anaesthetics.
However, all kittens and puppies should be taught to tolerate their owners brushing their teeth.
During a professional examination, a veterinarian will examine your pet's mouth for early signs of tumours and other infectious or degenerative processes.
A pet owner seeking professional dental car can expect the following in routine dental prophylaxis: *A thorough physical examination of the pet prior to sedation or anaesthesia *An in-depth examination of the entire oral cavity *Removal of plaque and tartar above and below gum line *polishing of the sulcus (groove) to remove debris *Fluoride treatment *Home care instructions *A follow u-up appointment to re-evaluate the patient's condition and determine long term home care.
If you are concerned about your pet's dental hygiene and his or her general health, seeking professional care will not only benefit your pet, it will also assure you that the job has been done correctly, thoroughly and by a professional.
Yet many pet owners are allowing unskilled people to do just that to their four-legged friends.
Owners whose pets receive cosmetic dental care often believe that such care is adequate and may fail to seek proper care.
Periodontal (gum) disease, a result of improper teeth cleaning, can lead to kidney, liver, and heart disease.
At best, subsequent professional dental care will be extensive and costly.
Periodontal disease is the single greatest challenge in dentistry and it is the most frequently seen condition in the veterinary hospital.
Gum disease affects 85 per cent of dogs and cats over three years of age.
This disease of the supportive structures of the teeth is progressive, unrelenting, usually non-regenerative, and incurable.
With proper care, however, it is manageable, and one must think prevention rather than cure when thinking about disease.
Periodontal disease begins in the sulcus, the groove between the gum and the tooth.
Plaque attaches itself to the tooth, mineralize's and becomes tarter.
This hard material irritates and inflames the gums, and loose teeth, abscesses, severe halitosis and general poor health ensue.
Plaque can be deposited on the tooth's surface as quickly as six hours following prophylaxis (dental cleaning).
This is why veterinarians recommend brushing your pet's teeth regularly, preferably daily.
The most dangerous aspect of periodontal disease is that build-up below the gum line is not obvious to the untrained eye.
It can only be detected by a trained person using a dental explorer.
The untrained tooth cleaner will remove material for cosmetic reasons, while the disease process is left untreated to advance above or below the gum line.
Most pets as well do not enjoy fingers and instruments in their mouths and only the veterinarian is trained and skilled in the use of today's sedatives and anaesthetics.
However, all kittens and puppies should be taught to tolerate their owners brushing their teeth.
During a professional examination, a veterinarian will examine your pet's mouth for early signs of tumours and other infectious or degenerative processes.
A pet owner seeking professional dental car can expect the following in routine dental prophylaxis: *A thorough physical examination of the pet prior to sedation or anaesthesia *An in-depth examination of the entire oral cavity *Removal of plaque and tartar above and below gum line *polishing of the sulcus (groove) to remove debris *Fluoride treatment *Home care instructions *A follow u-up appointment to re-evaluate the patient's condition and determine long term home care.
If you are concerned about your pet's dental hygiene and his or her general health, seeking professional care will not only benefit your pet, it will also assure you that the job has been done correctly, thoroughly and by a professional.
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