The very first part of my physical examination for pets, after a proper greeting and a little snuggle of course, is to “lift the lip”. Evaluate for tartar and gingivitis; looking for fractured teeth, gum regression etc. From there a discussion with the owner of what I found and potential treatment options.
With some pets we talk about at-home dental care: tooth brushing, water additives, dental chews to help prevent tartar and gingivitis and keep the oral cavity healthy.
If there is significant tartar and gingivitis present, fractured teeth or abnormal smells, then a dental assessment and treatment under general anaesthetic is recommended.
General anaesthetic can understandably be scary. It is not without risk. Your veterinary team will go over this before every procedure, perform pre-anesthetic examinations before any medications are given and recommend pre-anaesthetic testing to ensure your pets safety throughout the procedure.
Your pet is monitored constantly from sedation to recovery by highly trained staff to mitigate these risks.
The benefits are substantial. It ensures a thorough examination of the entire oral cavity (teeth both above and below the gum line, gums, lips, tongue and oropharynx). It allows for full mouth dental radiography to evaluate the roots of the teeth as well as the jaw and even sinuses depending on the view.
Pets do not allow us to take radiography of their mouth without anaesthetic as they would likely chew the film, our hands or both! It also decreases anxiety for pets who may not love having their mouths handled and allows for proper pain control in the form of injections, infusions and local blocks.
After the exam and all the information is gathered, we can proceed with treatment for any diseased teeth, the goal being for your pet to have a clean and pain-free mouth when waking up. They can be a little groggy from anaesthetic that evening but are usually their normal selves the next morning.
Now, what about anaesthetic-free dentistry (AFD). On the surface, it may seem like a great option — no risk of anaesthesia and the visible concern is gone. These cleanings, however, are strictly cosmetic; they only allow for cleaning of the teeth above the gum line and do not allow for examination of the entire oral cavity.
There is no known health benefit to pets to perform these cleanings. They are not stress- or pain-free and can even delay the diagnosis and treatment of underlying disease.
Untreated dental disease can cause systemic illness, including heart, liver and kidney problems. Pets are very good at hiding oral pain. I frequently hear from owners that because their pet is still eating, they believe the animal’s teeth are fine.
This isn’t true; cats and dogs with significant dental disease will still find a way to eat so they can survive. Their instinct is to hide illness and pain. Dental assessment under anaesthetic is the safest and best option for your pets health.
Dr. Courtney Andrews is a veterinarian in Sudbury, a graduate of the Royal School of Veterinary Studies and dog mom to Argyll and Einstein. Animals & Pets is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
