Dentistry

The Importance of Dentistry

What is periodontal disease?

Over 85% of dogs and cats have some type of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease simply means that the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place are being destroyed by oral bacteria. This preventable disease is the number one diagnosed disease in our pets, yet many animals suffer needlessly. Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue, which is caused by plaque. Plaque is a mixture of saliva, bacteria, glycoproteins, and sugars that adhere to the tooth surface. Within minutes after a cleaning, a thin layer of plaque has adhered to the teeth. Eventually, this hardens to become callus or tartar. Callus by itself is nonpathogenic – it does not cause disease. However, it does create a rough surface for more plaque to adhere to and pushes the gums away from the teeth, which increases the surface area for more plaque to adhere to. Eventually, the supporting structures of the tooth (bone, tissue, periodontal ligament) are destroyed, and the tooth becomes mobile and will either fall out on its own or need to be extracted. Signs of periodontal disease are bad breath (halitosis), reluctance to eat, chewing on one side of the mouth, dropping food, pawing at the face or rubbing the face on the floor, drooling, becoming head-shy, and painful mouth/face.

Veterinarians recommend the following care for pets:

STEP 1: Bring your pet in for a dental exam. Don't wait for his annual checkup if you suspect a problem.

STEP 2:  Begin a dental care regimen at home. Brushing your pet's teeth daily is very important. We also recommend using a specially formulated dental rinse as well as dental chews and food. Please ask us if you need instructions on brushing your pet's teeth or if you have any other questions. 

STEP 3: Schedule your pets for an annual teeth cleaning with our animal X-rays. This is also very important and ensures we catch any disease early enough to treat. Periodontal disease and oral bacteria can easily affect other organ systems, including the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain.

Trust Main Street Animal Hospital with all your dog dental care and cat dental care needs. Contact our veterinary clinic in North Vancouver, BC, today to schedule a dental exam for your pet.

CONTACT US

We look forward to hearing from you

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Main Street Animal Hospital

Monday:

8.30am

7.00pm

Tuesday:

8.30am

7.00pm

Wednesday:

8.30am

7.00pm

Thursday:

8.30am

7.00pm

Friday:

8.30am

7.00pm

Saturday:

9:00am

5:00pm

Sunday:

9:00am

5:00pm