Veterinary Dentistry by Dr. Adam​

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​Dental disease, which includes peritonitis, gingivitis, and enamel damage/tooth decay is by far the most common medical problem I see in my practice. I feel it is largely caused by the diet: foods rich in carbohydrates, usually offered as a dry kibble. Pets eating this way will accumulate layer after layer of dental plaque, which eventually hardens into dental tartar (hard, stone-like deposit on the surface of the enamel). Once a layer of tartar develops it is very difficult to brush it off. The buildup also irritates gums, leading to gingivitis. Brushing inflamed gums can be painful and cause bleeding.

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Pets with severe dental disease can act totally normal, including eating and chewing. The owners usually notice the smell, which results from inflamed gums and bacterial overgrowth in the mouth. Having bad teeth has significant consequences on the overall health of one's body (ask your dentist or general practitioner!). Having a chronic tooth/gum infection stresses the immune system, the heart, kidneys, and liver. Dental problems can lead to chronic pain, which is also stressful. It may not kill your pet directly, but it significantly impacts the quality of their life.

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Few pets will tolerate anesthesia-free procedures, where the dental technician or groomer uses a metal dental scaler to remove deposits from the enamel. This approach is not recommended when there is significant gingivitis or root exposure.

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The solution to remove the dental tartar is ultrasonic scaling under general anesthesia. It is fast and effective, and the teeth are polished afterwards with a high-speed polisher to smooth out any abrasions to the enamel. The space under the gumline is explored to check for pockets or exposed roots. Anesthesia allows for detailed examination of the mouth, including checking for tonsillitis, mouth polyps and tumors, and any loose or decayed teeth that may need to be extracted. If extractions are needed, the roots are gently loosened up, and the sockets stitched up with absorbable suture.

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Our doctors can demonstrate some of these procedures for you and let you decide the approach that is right for you and your pet.