Pets’ teeth and mouths should be evaluated at their yearly exam to determine if a dental procedure is recommended. A dental procedure is performed under general anesthesia at the veterinary clinic. Radiographs are taken of each tooth in order to better visualize the health of the tooth below the gumline. The surfaces are then cleaned using a scaler to remove plaque and tartar. Teeth are then polished with a special paste to reduce the microabrasions on the enamel left by the scaler. After the teeth are properly cleaned, a probe is used to measure pockets around each tooth in order to evaluate the health and stability of dental ligaments and bony structures beneath the gumline. Deep pockets can be indicative of periodontal disease. 

Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis and progresses to periodontitis when left untreated. Periodontitis is a destructive process that involves the loss of the supportive structures of the teeth. As periodontal disease progresses, teeth will likely need to be extracted to prevent more damage to the underlying bone. At home dental care can help prevent or slow down the progression of periodontal disease. The preferred method of at home dental care is teeth brushing. This should be done with a pet-specific toothbrush and pet-specific toothpaste. If teeth brushing is not possible, there are dental specific treats, water additives, wipes, and foods. Look for the VOHC seal on dental products found at the store or visit https://vohc.org/accepted-products/ to find a list of approved products. 

Cats are affected by many of the same dental problems as dogs but are also prone to tooth resorption and stomatitis. Tooth resorption happens in more than half of cats over the age of 3. The roots of these teeth erode and are replaced by bone causing severe pain. Teeth that are being resorbed will often need to be extracted. Radiographs taken during a dental procedure will help the veterinarian determine the severity of resorption and whether or not the affected tooth will need to be removed. Another condition in cats is stomatitis, an inflammatory condition in response to plaque. Cat’s mouths become allergic to plaque bacteria which causes severe inflammation throughout the mouth. Teeth must be surgically removed to resolve this condition.