Dentists For House Pets

Dentists do not only care for people but there are also some professionals who have focused on the care for house pets. Veterinary dentistry is a field of medicine where the focus is on animals. The care, diagnosis, prevention and the treatment of the many problems and diseases that often come up in the oral cavity of our pets. The field of veterinary dentistry is a specialized field in veterinary science. The subspecialties of oral health care providers from this field are pretty much similar to those for humans. Examples of these subspecialties are the care and treatment of oral and maxillofacial issues, endodontics, medications, orthodontics, prosthodontics and periodontics. Problems covered in these fields are the treatment of fractures to the jaws, periodontal diseases, malocclusions and oral cancer among many others.

Dental Issues for Pets

Dentists in veterinary science have often said that the most common issue that they encounter with their patients is gum disease. The main reason for the occurrence of this problem is the diet of the pet as well as the fact that they lack the capacity to brush their teeth. In the wild, many animals also succumb to gum disease due to the lack of brushing and cleaning. Veterinarians encourage pet owners to brush their pet’s teeth daily in order to get rid of debris leftover from eating and to prevent the buildup of plaque which can cause gum disease. If left untreated, teeth might fall out and hamper eating. In the wild, animals can die due to the fact that they cannot eat anymore because of the pain in their gums.

Fractures are something that veterinary dentists also encounter in their patients. Root canals and the applications of dentures, crowns and bridges are often used for the health of the animal. The same procedure used on humans is also done to the pets when it comes to a root canal for a fractured tooth. In cases where the fracture is too severe, the teeth may need to be extracted. Fractures in the jaw can also lead to surgery for the pet. House pets can encounter accidents that may lead to a broken jaw, especially when they are hit by a moving vehicle. The operation that occurs for a broken jaw is highly similar to that performed on human beings.

House pets also suffer rarely from a bad bite. Although not a common occurrence, dentists in veterinary science also apply braces to their patients. Sometimes, small dogs have problems with their bites especially those of a certain breed. Crooked teeth and jutting bites need to be corrected in order for the animals to eat properly and avoid cutting themselves when they eat. Braces for house pets are called power chains and they function the same way that braces do. These are made up of small rubber rings, attached to buttons made out of metal. They are then placed, in the same manner as humans, on three teeth on each side of the animal’s oral cavity. Dentists of veterinary science often recommend the pets to wear these for three to six months.