The last premolar of the upper jaw (carnissial
tooth) frequently becomes infected. This tooth has 3 long roots and
when infected, extend into the surrounding bone, break through the skin,
and appear as a small draining wound below the eye.
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Facial injuries may also cause carnissial
tooth infections.
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Extraction of the affected tooth is usually
necessary to allow drainage and prevent recurrence of infection.
General anesthesia is necessary, as triple-rooted teeth are difficult to
remove and often require splitting before extraction.
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Notify your veterinarian if any
of the following occur:
Your pet bleeds from the mouth.
Your pet is reluctant or unable to eat.
There is a change in your pet’s general health.
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Dental
Disease in Dogs and Cats .
General Information:
Dental calculus (tartar) is composed of various
mineral salts, organic material and food particles. In the early
stages of accumulation, the material is soft (plaque), but it later hardens
and adheres to the teeth. Continual accumulation causes inflammation
of the gums and eventual recession of the gums and loose teeth. The
breath becomes very odorous and the mouth becomes a dangerous source of
infection. Untreated tooth and gum disease may allow bacteria to
enter the bloodstream and cause damage to the valves of the heart.
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Prevention:
Feed hard or coarse foods.
Provide rawhide, hard rubber or nylon chew
toys or hard treat foods. Remember that the treat foods are a source
of calories and may lead to obesity if too many are given.
Brush your pet’s periodically. Your
veterinarian can provide a special enzymatic toothpaste developed for teeth
of cats and dogs. Abrasive dental cleaning pads are also helpful
in cleaning the teeth. Water and baking soda can be used with a soft
toothbrush but are less effective than toothpaste developed for animals.
Regular professional cleaning by your veterinarian
is the most effective way to ensure good dental health for your pet.
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Gingivitis
General Information:
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums.
The most common cause is the build-up of dental tartar at the junction
of the gums and teeth. Other causes include bacterial and viral infections,
foreign material (hair, food, plant material), and reactions to irritating
substances.
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Gingivitis is a progressive disease, and
the early stages (slight reddening of the gum margin) are difficult to
see. As the disease progresses, the gums thicken, bad breath develops,
and sores or ulcers may appear in the gums. Untreated gingivitis
frequently results in loss of teeth and more serious gum and tooth disease.
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Treatment of gingivitis begins with a
thorough cleaning of the teeth. This is done under a general anesthetic
to allow cleaning of all tooth surfaces and a more thorough examination
of the mouth. Regular dental care is usually necessary to prevent
the recurrence on gingivitis or to control chronic gingivitis.
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Notify your veterinarian if any
of the following occur:
Your pet’s bad breath persists or returns.
Your pet’s gums bleed.
Your pet refuses to eat or has discomfort
when chewing.
Your pet’s general health changes.
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Periodontal
Disease
General Information:
Periodontal disease is a process that causes
the breakdown of the structures that cradle the teeth in their normal position.
The gum line forms the first line of defense against periodontal disease.
Bacteria collect here and can destroy this defense barrier. Bacteria
then gain access to the vulnerable periodontal structures and damage the
tooth. This process causes the teeth to loosen and eventually fall
out.
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Brownish-black material called tartar
(a concentration of mineralized bacteria) may collect on the teeth, and/or
the gums may bleed. Such signs indicate periodontal disease.
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Treatment of periodontal disease includes
removing tartar and polishing the teeth. Surgical trimming of excess
gum tissue may also be required to eliminate the pockets that form at the
gum line and collect foreign material and bacteria. A general anesthetic
is usually necessary for these procedures. Oral hygiene may be performed
at home by brushing or wiping the teeth with special toothpastes.
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Notify your veterinarian if any
of the following occur:
Brownish-black tartar collects on your pet’s
teeth.
Your pet’s gums bleed.
Your pet’s teeth are loose.
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Salivary
Cyst
General Information:
Saliva from the salivary glands travels through
ducts (passageways) to the mouth. Occasionally a duct ruptures, and
the saliva escapes into the surrounding tissue. A soft, fluid-filled
cyst slowly develops near the neck over months or even years.
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The best treatment is surgical removal
of the salivary gland causing the cyst. Other measures usually produce
only temporary results. Even with surgical correction, recurrence
is possible, and additional surgery may be necessary. Surgical removal
of the glandular tissue in the cyst, however, reduce recurrences.
