Burke Animal Clinic's Gallery of Healthier Smiles

Pet Dental Health Month is in full swing here at Burke Animal Clinic.  Many families are bringing their pets in for dental exams and cleanings.  This is a small photo gallery of some patient’s before and after dental scaling and polishing. 

Most of the images are of pets that have come in for a cleaning at the proper time.  There is one set of images that shows a pet well beyond the point of needing a cleaning.  These pictures aren’t here to gross you out, but to illustrate that even a very diseased mouth will reap great improvement from a cleaning. 

The clinic has appointments for wellness exams seven days a week, but the dental cleanings are performed Monday through Friday.     

Cat -Prior to Cleaning

Same Cat Post Cleaning

Dog Prior to Cleaning



Same Dog Post Cleaning

  



A Different Cat Pre Dental Cleaning


Second Cat Post Dental Cleaning





Second Dog Pre Dental Cleaning





Second Dog Post Dental Cleaning

This is a dog with serious dental disease.

Even with serious problems a dental cleaning can help improve this pet's health.



So you have decided to bring your pet in for a dental cleaning. Do you know what to expect?

• Prior to the dental procedure an exam is performed to assess your pet’s general health as well his oral health.
• Depending on the pet’s age and other health concerns, pre-anesthetic bloodwork will be performed.  These tests will help evaluate liver and kidney function.
• The cardiovascular system is evaluated and if indicated by a heart murmur or other rhythm changes a cardiac work up may be performed.  This could include radiographs and/or ultrasound imaging.
• An Intravenous Catheter is placed to run fluids to the patient to help maintain blood pressure and keep the kidneys and liver flushed. 
• The pet undergoes general anesthesia for the duration of the procedure.
• Tarter and calculus are removed, from above and below the gum line, by a combination of hand and ultrasonic scaling.
• Loose and diseased teeth are extracted as needed, controlling pain with local nerve blocks.  Sometimes, if most of the tooth is structurally sound, we may refer to a veterinary dentist for crown placement or endodontics.  This occurs more frequently in show or highly trained dogs.
• Cleaning the teeth stirs up a lot of bacteria in the mouth so an injection of antibiotic will be administered during the cleaning.
• If pockets are found around the teeth, they may be treated with local antibiotics as well.
• Scaling the teeth causes micro-etching of the tooth surfaces when debris is removed.  This etching slightly roughens the enamel surface so all teeth are polished post scaling to restore a smooth surface.
• Fluoride may be applied to strengthen tooth enamel.
• Your pet recovers from anesthesia and is given any necessary pain medication and antibiotics prescribed.  Medication may be sent home for additional treatment.
• The veterinarian will discuss a home care protocol for your pet at the discharge appointment.

When Should Your Pet Get a Dental Cleaning?

When they need it, is the short answer.  There is no magic number of months elapsed that applies to all pets.  There are many variables:  the pet’s diet, breed, other health concerns, previous dental problems, injury to the mouth.  

Clean Teeth Post Dental



The pet’s mouth is the best indicator of when a cleaning is necessary.  Brushing will help keep the crowns of the teeth cleaner longer, but does not reach very far below the gum line.  When the sticky substance plaque is not removed from the teeth it reacts with the oral bacteria and forms a hard substance called calculus.  Calculus is irritating to the gums, leading to inflammation, or gingivitis.  Some of the early signs of gingivitis are:  redness of the gums, gums that bleed easily, foul breath.  These signs are then followed by a visible build-up of calculus on the teeth, not wanting to chew hard food or play with a ball or chew toy.  Dental disease is progressive if professional cleanings are not performed.  Pockets start to form at the tooth-gum margins and infection settles into those areas.  When pockets start to form, the disease has progressed to periodontitis.  This is the stage where the attachment of the tooth starts to weaken. We want to perform a cleaning before the condition has progressed to this point.   

Not sure if your pet needs a cleaning?  Come in for an outpatient appointment prior to scheduling a cleaning.  During the appointment one of our veterinarians can assess your pet’s oral health, as well as his overall health.  At the appointment you’ll discuss a treatment plan and be provided an estimate if you desire.  The Vet can make sure your pet is up-to-date on the recommended services prior to the drop off for a dental procedure.

This link shows the different stages of dental disease.  They are medical images and may not be for everyone.  This is provided for those who would like to know more about pet dental care.

 http://www.dentalvet.com/Encyclopedia/M04973.htm  





Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! This is our first post of the New Year. We are going to try and cover some different topics throughout the year. We like our clients to be able to make informed decisions about their pet’s care. So, check back frequently to see what’s new and maybe learn something in the process.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has designated February 2012 as pet dental health month. Your pet’s oral health is always important, but we thought this topic would be a good place to start. The campaign gives us a great opportunity to educate the public about this issue. You’ve probably heard the saying: You are what you eat. Well, what your pet eats passes through his mouth.

Without proper oral care your pet’s health may suffer. Most cats and dogs have some degree of dental disease; gingivitis and calculus build-up on the tooth surfaces are common. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingiva, the surfaces that surround the teeth. This condition may cause irritation and bleeding that would provide a pathway for the oral bacteria to invade your pet’s bloodstream and be carried to other organs within his body. The bacteria would then cause changes in the locations where they lodge. The process proceeds like a cascade of dominoes. A professional dental exam and cleaning help break the downward spiral.

The oral exam looks for problems in the mouth and allows the veterinarian to devise a treatment plan for your pet’s needs. The cleaning helps to restore a healthy environment in the mouth. A healthier mouth causes less stress on your pet’s immune system.

Information on Burke Animal Clinic website:
Dental Care

Burke Animal Clinic has chosen to participate in this campaign and is offering a special on dental services.
Check it out!

Some of the sponsors of Dental Health Month have informative websites for owners to explore.
AVMA site, you can upload your pet's picture!
Great Resource on Pet Dental Care
American Veterinary Dental College