Question 1

Why is small animal dentistry such an important part of my pet’s overall health and wellbeing?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of Dental Disease: Dental issues like periodontal disease, gingivitis, and tooth infection are common in pets, can often lead to significant pain and loss of the tooth. Routine dental care helps prevent these issues, ensuring a longer healthier life for your pet.
Overall Health: untreated periodontal disease can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which can affect vital organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Addressing periodontal issues will reduce the risk of systemic infections and related health issues.
Improved Quality of Life: Dental pain is often difficult to detect in pets, as they may not show obvious signs. This pain can impact their eating, drinking, and behavior. By maintaining their dental health, we can ensure their overall well-being.
Odor Control: Bad breath (halitosis) is often a sign of dental disease in pets. Regular dental care helps reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar, which causes these foul odors.
Cost-Effective: Preventing dental problems through routine care (regular brushing, using VOHC approved products, dental exams, and professional COHAT cleanings), is often more cost-effective than treating advanced dental diseases, which may require extractions or other more expensive procedures.

Question 2

What are COHAT cleanings?

Accepted Answer

COHAT stands for Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment. It is a thorough dental procedure performed by veterinarians to assess and treat your pet’s oral health. The COHAT includes:
Dental Examination: A detailed evaluation of the pet’s mouth, teeth, gums, and overall oral health.
Dental Cleaning and polishing: Professional cleaning to remove plaque, tartar, and any buildup that could cause oral diseases, and a thorough polishing to smooth surfaces and ensure less plaque buildup in the future.
Radiographs (X-rays): these can detect issues below the gumline, such as tooth root disease or bone loss, which are not visible during a standard examination. Approximately 60-80% of a dog or cats dental disease is below the gumline.
Treatment: Any necessary procedures, such as tooth extractions, root canal treatments, gingival surgery, or bonded sealants, depending on the findings.

Question 3

How often should I brush my pet’s teeth?

Accepted Answer

In addition to regular deep cleanings at the veterinary hospital, we recommend dogs and cats also have a regular tooth brushing daily, or at least twice a week. Preventative dental cleanings, under anesthesia, are recommended at regular intervals to preserve oral health. Ensuring proper dental care is a joint effort between the pet owner and the veterinarian.

Question 4

What dental issues can affect my pet?

Accepted Answer

Pets can be affected by various dental conditions, including periodontal disease, gum recession, cavities, and tooth loss. These conditions can significantly impact a pet's overall health, potentially leading to serious complications with heart, liver, lung, and kidney function.

Question 5

What signs should I look for that could indicate my pet needs a dental evaluation?

Accepted Answer

If your pet has bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums, difficulty eating, excessive drooling, or visible tartar buildup, it may be time for a dental evaluation. Other signs include weight loss, changes in eating habits, or reluctance to play with chew toys. Annual check-ups are crucial for early detection and prevention of dental diseases that can impact your pet's overall health and quality of life.

Question 6

What are some pet bad breath solutions?

Accepted Answer

Bad breath in pets is often a sign of underlying dental disease, not just an inconvenience. Brushing your pet’s teeth regularly—ideally daily—can help reduce odor and prevent plaque buildup. Dental chews and prescription dental diets may also support fresher breath and healthier gums. However, persistent bad breath usually indicates it’s time for a professional cleaning. If your pet’s breath is consistently unpleasant, schedule a dental visit to get ahead of more serious issues.

Question 7

What does a professional cleaning entail?

Accepted Answer

Prophylactic dental cleanings are a comprehensive procedure that includes a pre-anesthetic evaluation, careful physical examination, and bloodwork, followed by anesthesia. During the cleaning, our veterinarians conduct a thorough oral examination, remove tartar both above and below the gumline using specialized scaling techniques, take dental x-rays as needed, and polish the teeth to ensure a complete and effective dental treatment.

Dental Care

At Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital

Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital

Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital

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Our dentistry team

Thomas Adducci, DVM, CVA

Laura McKeever, DVM

Laura Williams, DVM

Frequently asked questions