Dentistry

Tartar and gum disease pose a serious threat to our pets’ health. There are many animals whose lives are (unnecessarily) cut short and who suffer a great deal of discomfort due to undetected or poorly treated dental disease.

Many owners think it's normal for an eight-year-old poodle to lose his teeth: “He's getting old—his teeth are starting to fall out!”

The relationship between pet and owner is put to the test by tartar and gum disease, due to bad breath and the frustration felt by the dog—who used to be allowed to give “kisses” but is no longer permitted to do so. Dogs say “hello” by sniffing and licking, and if their breath smells bad, they are prevented from expressing this normal behavior. The unfortunate thing is that by the time people finally decide to do something about it, much of the damage is irreversible, and many teeth are lost. In animals living in the wild, tartar and gum disease are virtually nonexistent. That’s why these conditions must surely be the result of the food we feed them!

Tartar forms through the mineralization of dental plaque. Dental plaque is a paste-like substance that constantly forms on the teeth and consists of live and dead bacteria, mucosal cells, food debris, etc. Tartar is not a disease in itself, but it provides an ideal breeding ground for the bacteria that cause periodontitis. Periodontitis is the disease process that occurs around the teeth and leads to tooth loss because the bone that holds the tooth in place is lost. The presence of tartar is merely a symptom of periodontitis. The disease develops when bacteria grow in food and saliva residues beneath the gum line (in the sulcus). The body responds to these bacteria by sending white blood cells to the site, causing inflammation. This results in inflammation around the tooth. This inflammation causes the breakdown of the bone that holds the tooth in place. You often hear people talk about gums “receding” in connection with tartar and gum inflammation. In fact, this happens because the gums are attached to the underlying bone, which is broken down during the “war” between the white blood cells and the bacteria in the plaque beneath the gums.

Periodontitis is a widespread disease; approximately 85% of adult dogs suffer from it. It is a disease that is, in principle, life-threatening, but one that can be prevented and cured. Because the oral mucosa is highly vascularized, bacteria spread very easily throughout the body, where they readily settle in the liver, kidneys, heart valves, and joints. In dogs (and in humans, for that matter!), non-congenital heart valve defects are almost always the result of gum inflammation!

During a dental cleaning, tartar and plaque are removed from your teeth. Loose or inflamed teeth are extracted. Finally, your teeth are polished. After the treatment, you will receive information about follow-up care and how to prevent tartar buildup (brushing instructions, dietary recommendations, etc.).

Puppies can develop a number of abnormalities related to the development of the jaw and teeth.

• The most common example is a baby tooth that doesn’t fall out on time. In principle, a baby tooth and its permanent replacement should never occupy the same space. This is especially important for the proper development of the canine teeth! As soon as a permanent tooth appears and the baby tooth hasn’t fallen out yet, action must be taken!
• In addition, broken deciduous canines are often seen in puppies. These pose a threat to the permanent tooth and must therefore be treated.

Restorations
Minor cosmetic defects in the teeth can be corrected to prevent them from getting worse. This can be done through treatment with fluoride varnish or with composite restorations.

Orthodontics
Many malocclusions can now be treated in animals as well. This primarily involves correcting malocclusions that cause problems, rather than cosmetic procedures.

For the fitting and installation of brackets and similar items, we can refer you to a colleague who specializes in this field.

We see fractures of the canines particularly often in police dogs, which can lead to major problems, preventing these dogs from doing their jobs. Broken teeth will cause pain sooner or later. Your pet can’t tell you this, but anyone who’s ever had a toothache knows what such an animal is going through.

Root canal treatments are performed under general anesthesia. If you wish, you may be present during the procedure.

Dental problems in rodents* are generally of a completely different nature than those in dogs and cats. We do not see issues such as tartar and tooth decay. On the other hand, malocclusions are common, which can lead to major problems.

• It is well known that rabbits’ incisors continue to grow as a result of an abnormal position (or absence) of the opposing tooth. These teeth are often trimmed, which can lead to inflammation in the jaw. It is better to file down the teeth, or, even better, to extract them.
• Molars that do not wear down properly can lead to serious eating problems. Sharp hooks on the molars can damage the cheek lining, causing the animals to stop eating due to the pain. In guinea pigs, we regularly see severely overgrown molars in the lower jaw that make it impossible for the animal to use its tongue and, therefore, to eat.

*) Rabbits are not actually rodents, but for practical purposes they are included here.

Most people realize how important daily oral care is, because teeth need to last for about 60 to 80 years. Compare this to a small dog that has already lost all its teeth by the age of 8. You may know from your own experience just how unpleasant pain in the mouth can be, whether it’s caused by gum disease or an infected tooth. Now imagine an animal that can’t speak and that sometimes has to live with these kinds of problems for years on end. This causes a massive decline in such an animal’s quality of life, and every owner has a moral obligation to do something about it—or have it addressed.

In addition to periodontitis, trauma is a major cause of dental problems. Just think of a police dog’s broken canine. Abscesses above the 4th premolar (the largest molar) in a dog’s upper jaw also often develop after a (barely visible) fracture in this molar. Incidentally, this molar is also where the duct of the parotid salivary gland opens. This saliva contains a lot of calcium, which is why we often see the most tartar buildup on this particular molar. Gum inflammation and/or dental problems are sometimes caused by underlying diseases. Dogs with severe oral cavity problems should actually be examined for the following conditions:

• In diabetes, the glucose level in saliva rises significantly. This allows all kinds of bacteria—which are harmless on their own—to take advantage of the situation and multiply rapidly. Because diabetes also weakens the animal’s immune system, inflammation can easily develop in the oral cavity.
• Reduced thyroid function (hypothyroidism) often leads to dental problems as well, so a dog diagnosed with hypothyroidism should also have its teeth examined! Underactive thyroid function manifests as lethargy, obesity, skin problems, and reduced resistance to infections.
• Allergies and other conditions that cause animals to chew on their fur can lead to hair accumulating in the sulcus, which can cause infections and significant damage. Chewing on hair can push teeth out of their normal position and cause them to wear down more quickly.
• Kidney disease can cause dental problems due to bone demineralization, which weakens the tooth sockets. It can also lead to mouth ulcers.
  An improper diet can have a huge impact on dental health, as many types of food promote plaque buildup, especially canned food. Too much phosphate in the diet (pure meat) causes bone demineralization and thus weaker teeth. Hill’s Prescription t/d prevents tartar buildup.
• Pica (the act of eating non-food items) can cause dental problems. Chewing on rocks, fences, doors, metal, bones, etc., is simply not good for the teeth! Dogs that frequently play with tennis balls sometimes show severe tooth wear: the sand trapped between the “hairs” of the tennis ball acts like sandpaper!