Dental Surgery in Dogs

Types

• According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80 percent of canines will develop gum disease by age 3. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of dental problems in dogs that often leads to surgery. As plaque and tartar settles into the dog's gums, inflammation and infection starts in the supportive tooth tissues. Periodontal disease involves inflammation, bleeding, receding gums, bad breath and tooth loss. Veterinary oral surgeons also take care of dental fractures, cavities, oral tumors, jaw fractures, lesions and sores within the throat and mouth.

Exam &Surgery

• When performing dental surgery in dogs, vets will give the canine a general anesthesia. This will allow the vet to give the dog a thorough oral examination. The vet will assess the gums, teeth and the extent of the tartar buildup, gingivitis and plaque debris pockets in the gums. The vet will determine which protocol is needed--either cleaning or removing teeth. Using a special tool for cleaning, tartar will be removed from the teeth and the gum line. He will continue to clean the gum pockets for deep plague and tartar buildup. Using a dental polisher and doggie toothpaste, he will polish and clean the surface of the teeth.

  If there are signs of severe dental disease, further dental surgery may be required. This includes extraction of teeth, root canals and filling rotted teeth. All options should be discussed with your vet. Ask your vet about new techniques that allow surgeons to preserve dog's teeth rather than removing them. After dental surgery, the oral surgeon will prescribe an antibiotic and pain reliever for your dog to take for a short time.

Prevention/Solution

• The American Veterinary Dental Society says it's extremely important that owners take their dogs to the vet for regular dental cleaning to keep the teeth clean. Also, your vet can recommend an at-home oral hygiene program that could require brushing your dog's teeth about twice a week. As diet is a major factor in the development of gum diseases in dogs, avoid feeding your pet sticky and soft foods. Instead, opt to give your dog crunchy dry food and chews that aid the cleaning of your dog's teeth while it chews on them. Frank J.M. Verstraete of the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine states that there are many specially formulated diet foods on the market to give your dog the dental benefits it needs and reduces the chance of gum disease later on.

Considerations

• As with your own teeth, there are severe consequences if you fail to maintain proper oral hygiene in your dog. Besides giving your dog bad breath, periodontal disease can cause toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream that seriously affect the body's internal organs. Owners should consider dental surgery for their canines because it can slow the spread of periodontal disease if not stop it.

Warning

• You can help protect many of your dog's vital internal organs as he gets older by protecting his "bright smile." According to Box Hill Veterinary Hospital, as tooth bacteria starts to spread, it can cause infection in the liver, kidneys and heart valves of dogs. Don't underestimate the importance of a good at-home dental program, and in some cases dental surgery, because you could be saving your dog's health, teeth and life.