• 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
Your pet's dental cleaning is far different than the same procedure you undergo each year at your dentist's office. Because for many pets anesthesia is required, which keeps your pet safe and still during the cleaning, we perform a thorough physical exam and a series of blood tests to ensure that your pet is healthy enough for this procedure. These tests also help us develop an anesthetic protocol that is specific for your pet.

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, a crunchy kibble diet, 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. Changing your pet's food from canned to dry can also significantly reduce the rate at which tartar and calculus accumulate.

February is Pet Dental Month. During dental month 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