Dental Care For The APBT

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The resposibilities of the American Pit Bull Terrier owner are many. Of these, veterinary dentistry is of top concern in maintaining the health of the American Pit Bull Terrier. The following are common areas of concern.

Dental scaling and polishing-Dental scaling begins with a thorough inspection of the oral cavity. Most scaling procedures require the use of mechanical and/or hand scalers. Following the scaling procedure the teeth are polished to halt the speedy accumulation of plaque. The teeth are then inspected for any remaining plaque. After scaling and polishing, periodontal probes are employed to check along each tooth. It is suggested that patients with pre-existing periodontal disease begin antibiotic treatment 3 days prior to dental scaling.

Endodontics- Endodontics is the study and treatment of the inside of the tooth, also called the pulp, and the tip of the tooth root. The pulp is made of nerves, blood vessels and other tissues. Dental pulp is important to the development of the tooth in the young. It supplies the nutrients required to strengthen the tooth wall. The most widespread cause of endodontic disease in the American Pit Bull Terrier is a cracked or broken tooth. All teeth with visible pulp tissue should be treated by endodontic treatment or tooth extraction. Treatments include root canal, pulp capping and pulpotomy. If left untreated, infection can cause abcess. The owner will notice swelling or draining just below the eyes. These abcesses can be very painful and a source of infection which can spread to other teeth and the bloodstream.

Periodontics- Periodontics is the study and treatment of the supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gum and other structures surrounding the tooth. Periodontal disease is difficult to control if allowed to develop; which makes prevention key. Controlling and minimizing plaque is the most important element in preventing periodontal disease. It is the most widespread form of disease among animals and humans. By the age of three, 80% of dogs show some sign of periodontal disease. If not treated, periodontal disease can cause serious health issues.

Dental Radiography- Dental radiography aids in the treatment of difficult extractions and sometimes dental restorations. Any broken or fractured tooth, or one with inflammation around the gum line, should be reported to a veterinarian for a check-up. Dental radiography can assist with early detection.

Restorative Dentistry- The goal of restorative dentistry is to repair a tooth before it can be destroyed by cavities, fractures or breaks. When teeth lose their contour they can become predisposed to periodontal disease. Covering the tooth with a crown is one choice for restoring a tooth with coronal structure loss.

Orthodontics- Orthodontics deal with the prevention and correction of irregularities and misalignment of the teeth. The primary reason for performing orthodontic correction is to lessen pain due to misaligned teeth or misalignment that will lead to endodontics or periodontal disease. If genetic irregularitties are suspected, the owner should consider having the animal spayed or neutered to prevent the propagation of inferior genes.

Home Care- Home care is the best way to avoid the accumulation of plaque. There are many products available to help encourage proper dental hygiene for the American Pit Bull Terrier. Home care often involves finding a product that works for the owner with a busy work schedule. From dog biscuits to dog toothbrushes, your veterinarian can offer some products.

These are a few of the dental issues a responsible American Pit Bull Terrier owner needs to know. All specific issues should be immediately reported to a veterinarian.

Dental Care For The APBT
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