Preventative

Dental Care
Rebecca England
VETE 4302 Advanced Veterinary Terminology
Tarleton State University

What does this include?

These things should be done at least

annually, and more often as necessary in

senior patients or those with existing
problems while under anesthesia to perform
a complete assessment
Routine oral health examinations
Dental prophylaxis with polish and fluoride
applications
Full-mouth dental radiographs
Monitoring and treatment of any problems present

Appropriate home care should be done DAILY

Disease Prevention is Key

Why is this important?
Dental disease is one of the most common problems seen in

our pet companions today

Over 85% of dogs and cats are affected by dental problems
throughout their lives
Smaller breeds and cats are especially prone to dental disease
Gingivitis inflammation of the gingival tissue, often due to
irritation from bacteria, plaque, and tartar against the gum
line; if plaque and tartar are removed before damage occurs,
the condition is REVERSIBLE
Periodontitis inflammation and bacterial infection of the
periodontal structures of the teeth; causes halitosis, pain,
destruction of bone, and loss of teeth; periodontitis is NOT
REVERSIBLE

Anatomy of the Mouth

The oral cavity includes several structures:
Labia lips
Cheeks
Hard palate bony portion of the palate toward the nose
Soft palate flexible portion of the palate toward the throat
Salivary glands group of cells that secretes clear
substance containing digestive enzymes (saliva); there are
4 sets of glands based on location

Mandibular,

sublingual, zygomatic, and parotid salivary glands

Tongue muscular organ used for tasting, processing food,

and grooming
Teeth
Gingiva mucous membrane that surround teeth and form
lining of the mouth
Periodontia structures that support the teeth

What is dentition?
Dentition refers to the teeth as a whole and

their arrangement within the maxillary and

mandibular arcades
Examples of dentition include:

Deciduous dentition temporary set of teeth that erupt in

young animals that are replaced at or near maturity

Permanent dentition set of teeth that replace deciduous

ones, designed to last the lifetime of the animal

Mixed dentition when both deciduous and permanent

teeth are present

Permanent Dentition on Models

CAT

DOG

What is occlusion?
Occlusion describes how the upper and lower teeth

fit together in relationship to the bones of the jaws

Malocclusion describes abnormally positioned teeth,

in addition to defects involving the bones of the jaws

Examples of malocclusion include:
Prognathia condition where mandible is elongated or
overshot, often called sow mouth
Brachygnathia condition where mandible is shortened or
undershot, often called parrot mouth

What makes up a tooth?

The anatomy of a tooth consists of several different parts:
Crown - entirety of the tooth above the gum line
Root tooth below the gum line
Pulp inside most part of the tooth, consists of nerves, blood vessels,
and connective tissue
Apical foramen hole at the tip of the root where nerves and blood
vessels enter the tooth
Dentin connective tissue surrounding the pulp
Cementum bonelike connective tissue surrounding the root
Enamel hard white substance covering the dentin of the crown of the
tooth
Alveoli socket in which the tooth sits
Alveolar bone layer of compact bone that forms the socket and
surrounds the root
Periodontal ligament fibrous structure that holds the tooth in the
alveolus

Retrieved from An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology

Types of Teeth
Incisors (I) front teeth used for cutting
Canines (C) long, pointed bone-like tooth

located between incisors and premolars (also

called fangs or cuspids)
Premolars (P) cheek teeth found between

canines and molars (also called bicuspids)

Molars (M) back cheek teeth used for grinding

Types of Teeth

Retrieved from An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology

Canine Dental Formula

Dental formula represents the type and number of

each tooth found in a species (dog in this case)

Canine dental formula
2

(I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/3)

This

means that the dog has:

3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars, and 2 molars on the upper
left and right sides of the mouth
3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars, and 3 molars on the lower
left and right sides of the mouth
42 total teeth

Canine Dental
Formula

Retrieved from An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical

Terminology

Feline Dental Formula

Dental formula represents the type and number

of each tooth found in a species (cat in this case)

Feline dental formula
2

(I 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/2, M 1/1)

This

means that the cat has:

3 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars, and 1 molar on the
upper left and right sides of the mouth
3 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, and 1 molar on the
lower left and right sides of the mouth
30 total teeth

Feline Dental
Formula

Retrieved from An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical

Terminology

Signs of Oral Health

Problems
Halitosis bad breath (most common sign)
Hypersalivation excessive production of saliva
Sialorrhea drooling
Red or swollen gums
Bleeding from the mouth
Anorexia decreased appetite
Pain when eating pets may cry or drop food
Tartar yellow brown crust on the teeth near the gum line,

cannot be brushed off

Broken, mobile, or missing teeth
Behavioral changes such as head shyness or reluctance to be
petted
Occasionally, there will be no signs seen until a complete oral
health exam is performed.

Routine Oral
Examinations
Oral examinations are in important part of

identifying, monitoring, and treating health concerns

and problems in the mouth
An examination will include visualization of the entire
pharynx (throat), the tonsils, and the tongue
Of course, the teeth and gingiva will also be assessed
Anything concerning or abnormal will be noted
Charting should include positioning of the teeth,
pocketing depths, amount of tartar, level of gingivitis
or periodontitis, mobility of teeth present, and any
bone loss

Oral examination of a cats mouth under anesthesia

and seeing an unidentified problem with the lower
premolars

Dental Prophylaxis
This is a multi-step process
The goal is to remove plaque and tartar from the

surfaces of the teeth and subgingivally (below the gum

line) with hand instruments and an ultrasonic scaler
After scaling, charting, and treatments needed are
complete, all of the tooth surfaces are polished with an
abrasive paste this helps to buff out micro-scratches
from the teeth that were left from scaling, and aids in
reducing the recurrence of new tartar buildup
After rinsing, fluoride is then applied to the teeth this
also aids in reducing tartar buildup

Dental Equipment
Drill, polisher, air/water sprayer, ultrasonic
scaler
(from left to right)

Probes Used to Check Pocket

Depths

Polish and Fluoride

Dental Radiography
Radiographs are routinely taken of the oral

cavity to assess teeth below the gum line (what

we cant see)
This allows visualization of tooth health or
disease present can check for:
Malpositioned teeth
Broken roots
Infection or abscess
Bone loss

Radiographs help assess what treatments, if

any, are needed for the patient

Radiography Equipment

Note the malformation and root defect of the

lower premolars in this cat without an
examination and radiography under
anesthesia, this would have probably gone
unnoticed until it caused a problem.

What can I do at home as an owner?

There are several home care tips you can use to

enhance your pets dental health

Provide

chews and toys

Oral rinses
Toothbrushing
Appropriate diet
Any

of these will assist in oral disease

prevention.

Chews and Toys

The act of simply mastication (chewing) on edible pet products and toys

can cause beneficial abrasive action upon the teeth to assist in plaque
removal
Chews and toys should be firm, but not hard do not give bones or bone

products, as these are too hard and can damage or break your pets teeth
It is important to remember that ALL chews and toys be given and used

under DIRECT SUPERVISION so that they are not broken and/or

accidentally swallowed
DO NOT leave your pet unattended with these items! This will ensure

your pets safety.

Ask your veterinarian for chew and toy recommendations for your pet.

Example of Dental Chews

Oral Rinses
Oral rinses can be beneficial

in reducing the bacterial

load within the mouth
They generally contain an
antibacterial agent such as
Chlorhexidine
Many rinses come in a
spray bottle, so the solution
can be directly sprayed
onto the teeth and gums in
the mouth after brushing
they do not have to be
rinsed off

This is also recommended to

be used daily (like

toothbrushing)
Like enzymatic toothpastes,
oral rinses do not replace
actual toothbrushing
(mechanical action is best in
removing plaque)
DO NOT use mouth wash or
rinses intended for people.
They can be toxic to your
pet! Ask your veterinarian
for a recommended rinse.

An
Example
of an Oral
Rinse
Spray

Brush my pets teeth? Are you serious?

ABSOLUTELY! HOW OFTEN YOU ASK? EVERY DAY!
Plaque non-visible buildup that forms in 8-12 hours, can be

removed by brushing; turns into tartar within days if not removed

This plaque can be removed daily with tooth brushing (as in people)
The mechanical action of a childs toothbrush or finger brush using
circular motions across tooth surfaces and gum line can remove
plaque and stimulate healthy circulation within gum tissue
The use of an enzymatic toothpaste can chemically assist in the
removal of plaque, plus most pets enjoy the taste
It is important to remember that the use of toothpaste alone does not
replace tooth brushing it is the mechanical (not chemical) action
that works the best
DO NOT use toothpaste intended for people. This can be toxic to
your pet! Ask your veterinarian for a recommended toothpaste.

Enzymatic Toothpaste and Brushes

Finger Brush
Example

Tips and Tricks to Get

Started
Start brushing as soon as possible, 8-12 weeks old is

a great time, but older animals can be taught too

Get your pet accustomed to accept touch in the
mouth by gently touching the face, lips, cheeks,
gums, and teeth
Offer verbal praise to encourage and reward good
behavior
Use the toothpaste to entice them, it tastes delicious
Getting your pet to ultimately accept toothbrushing
takes time, so be gentle and patient youll both be
rewarded

What about my pets diet?

Your pets diet may affect the amount of bacteria in the

mouth, causing plaque and tartar to build up on the tooth

surfaces
Salivary secretions play an important role in plaque
formation; the enzymes assist in food and particle breakdown
Dry food (kibble) generally increases salivary flow, thus
potentially decreasing buildup on teeth
Kibble that is large in size can remove plaque by abrasive
action
Moist food (like canned food) encourages bacterial growth,
thus potentially increasing buildup on teeth
Therefore, a dry food such as Hills t/d may be recommended
for your pet.

***about actual
size of t/d dry
dog kibble

In Review
Routine oral health care is important for your pet to

prevent disease
Dental prophylaxis, radiographs, monitoring, and
treatment of problems on a regular basis are
important in keeping your pets mouth healthy
Daily home care that includes proper diet, chews,
rinsing, and tooth brushing will encourage oral health
and potentially reduce the frequency of anesthetic
dental prophylaxis and treatment needed
As an added benefit, preventative dental care tends
to be less costly than the management and treatment
of dental problems long term

Remember:
When providing dental home care for your pet
to ensure a healthy mouth
Chewing is GOOD
Rinsing is BETTER

BRUSHING is the BEST!

For more information, visit our website at

alpineanimalhospital.net

Dogs and cats will benefit from

lifelong preventative dental care

Now thats something to SMILE

References
Holmstrom, S. E. (2000). Veterinary Dentistry

for the Technician and Office Staf.

Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Romich, J. A. (2015). An Illustrated Guide to
Veterinary Medical Terminology. Stamford, CT:
Cengage Learning.
Images retrieved from (unless otherwise
stated):
Personal photography library