• Prolonged pain
• Tooth loss
• Chronic infections
• Lowered resistance
• Possible heart, liver and kidney disease

Look for:

• Bad breath
• Drooling
• Yellow or brown discolorations on teeth
• Decreased appetite

We can provide complete and thorough dental cleaning in many pets with NO ANESTHESIA! Ask us about this special service for your pet.

Progressive Nature of Periodontal Disease

	Early Periodontal disease: Inflamed gumline -- red, swollen and sometimes tender. Plaque is barely visible, but it is already present.
	Extensive plaque formation with tartar build-up. Inflamed gumline. Mouth is proabably sore with occasional drooling. Beginning of mouth odor.
	Thick tartar formation (creamy-brown hard masses on the teeth). Inflamed and partially receding gums. Periodontal disease well under way below the gumline. Mouth is sore and bad breath is present.
	Severe tartar formation. Inflamed and receding gumline is very sensitive. Advanced periodontal disease is present with infection, bleeding, tooth and bone loss.

What Happens During A Cleaning

1. Examination
Your pet’s dental cleaning will begin with a thorough physical examination by your veterinarian. This is important to evaluate your pet’s general health.
Laboratory tests will also be recommended to give us further information about the total health of your pet, including optimum organ function.

2. Cleaning
The first part of dental cleaning requires the removal of tartar. This is done with a hand scaler. Anesthesia is required to do a thorough job. We choose anesthetics with your pet’s safety in mind and are dictated by your pet’s physical examination
and the laboratory test results. (Anesthesia may not be necessary for your pet. Learn more.) Next, a periodontal probe checks for pockets under the gumline where periodontal disease and bad breath start. An ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above the gumline while a curette cleans and smoothes the teeth under the gumline in the crevice. Extractions of diseased teeth are sometimes necessary to create a healthier mouth, but with newer therapies we can sometimes save them.

3. Polishing and Lavage
Your pet’s teeth are polished, creating a smooth surface. Without polishing, your pet’s teeth will more quickly accumulate tartar and plaque. The gums are washed with an antibacterial solution to help delay tartar build-up both under the gumline and on the crown of the tooth.

4. Fluoride Treatment
Finally, the doctor or hygienist also administers a fluoride treatment
to strengthen your dog’s teeth, to desensitize exposed roots, and to decrease infection.

5. Dental Radiology
Dental x-rays will aid in the diagnosis of dental disease. Radiography plays an important role in determining the extent of periodontal disease and therapy. Radiographs are evaluated for bone changes, periodontal ligament space, and severity of bone loss. Our dental x-ray machine allows us to provide advanced dental care.

6. Antibiotic Therapy Treatment
Your pet may require the use of antibiotic therapies. A special antibiotic gel may be inserted into the pocket that forms between the tooth and the gum due to bacterial infection. This may help save the tooth. Antibiotics are often sent home as well, especially in established periodontal disease.

7. Home Care
Dental care does not end with a visit to your veterinarian. You need to continue your pet’s dental care at home. The staff at Harmony Animal Hospital will show you the proper method of caring for your pet’s teeth

Is Anesthesia Necessary?
We can often provide complete and thorough dental cleaning in many pets with NO ANESTHESIA. This is done by veterinary technicians specially trained in this procedure. It is not recommended if your pet has periodontal disease or requires extractions. But for many pets with a tartar buildup and mild gingivitis, it can be done successfully. Ask us about this special service for your pet.

Digital Dental Radiography Digital intra-oral radiographs (x-rays) will be taken when indicated. Radiographs are essential to evaluate the extent of disease and to predict or document the success of treatment. Digital radiographs have the advantage of speed over traditional dental film to minimize the amount of time that your pet is under anesthesia.
Digital radiographs can also be computer enhanced to aid in the diagnosis of disease. Digital radiographs are more environmentally friendly than traditional radiographs.

What is a Cat FORL?
One of the most common cat dental problems that few owners are aware of is a painful condition called a FORL. According to information presented at the American Veterinary Dental Forum, if your cat is over five years old, there is a 72% chance he or she has a painful feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion (FORL). These dental resorptions once called cat cavities or neck lesions can occur in any tooth. The most commonly affected teeth are the lower premolars.

Unlike cavities in humans, which are the result of bacterial enzymes and acids digesting the teeth, the cause of FORLs are unknown. Specifically, cells known as odontoclasts are found in the defects causing the tooth structure to dissolve. What triggers this reaction has not been determined for certain but a reaction to plaque on the teeth seems to be the major factor.

Cats affected with FORLs may show hypersalivation, oral bleeding, or have difficulty chewing. A majority of affected cats do not show obvious signs but are in pain. A cotton tipped applicator applied to the suspected FORL causes pain with jaw spasms when the FORL is touched.

At least monthly examine your cat’s mouth for FORLs. Take a Q-tip and gently place it against the area where the tooth meets the gum. If there is pain or bleeding a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Your best friend will thank you.

Dental Care At Home The good news is that dental disease can be prevented. By incorporating a program of home dental care and regular professional cleanings by your veterinarian, your pet can have healthier teeth and gums. We have many home care dental products available for your pet, from specialized finger toothbrushes to chicken flavored toothpaste. We also recommend CET Dental Chews and Oxyfresh Rinse. A small amount in your pet's drinking water can safely kill the bacteria that causes plaque buildup.

February and August are Pet Dental Months at Harmony Animal Hospital ,during dental months we do the dental cleaning at a reduced price and include some free samples of products. Call today for your pet's free dental exam and treat your dog or cat to a healthier smile.

Here's a fun and informative pet dental link.

Protect Your Pet’s Smile. A dental story.

Buffy arrived at Harmony Animal Hospital for her annual visit and her owner expected vaccinations and a clean bill of health. She thought that the weight loss and lethargy was a normal result of aging. What Dr. David Cox found was a painful, progressive disease that could develop into a serious illness.

Buffy was suffering from serious gum disease. Oral diseases often go undetected in both dogs and cats. The preliminary results from a recently completed University of Minnesota study of veterinary clinics across the country shows that oral disease is the number one diagnosed health problem of dogs and cats visiting veterinary hospitals.

"Dental disease is a problem that we see quite frequently here at Harmony, but it is often not recognized by the owner," said Dr. Cox. "The number one dental complaint that we hear from owners is bad breath in their pet. When we do our dental exam we often find that severe dental disease is the culprit. This may entail loose teeth and painful gum infections."

Pet owners should know that a simple three step program can keep their pets' mouths healthier. The three steps include taking their pet to your veterinarian for a dental check, and dental cleaning if indicated. Establishing a home care routine of brushing or using special products to reduce dental tartar, such as Hill's T/D diet, is step two. The last step includes regular veterinary checkups because plaque builds up quickly and some pets require more frequent dental care.

Studies have shown that 8 out of 10 dogs, and 7 out of 10 cats show signs of gum disease by the age of three. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to serious systemic diseases of the heart, kidneys and liver. There is no need for this to happen because most dental diseases can be controlled or even eliminated with proper treatment by veterinarians and home care by owners. Dog and cats over the age of one should be routinely checked for dental disease.

Good preventive oral care is an important part of the care you give to your pet. Time spent on preventive care will help keep your pet healthier, and it strengthens the human-pet bond.

"Pets that come into the hospital with gum disease are often in great pain," said Dr. Cox. "To encourage owners to investigate their pet's oral health we offer free dental exams. We also work with the owner and outline a simple, preventive care plan that will avoid the pain and discomfort of dental disease in their pet. This saves a lot of distress for both the pet and the owner."

You’ll be happy to know that Buffy had several very decayed teeth extracted and went home with a clean mouth and a relief from the pain she had been experiencing. She began to eat again with gusto and gained back the playfulness that she had been missing. Her owners thanked us for giving them back a new dog.

Dental Frequently Asked Questions