Dental Concerns For The APBT Owner

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There are a variety of concerns for the American Pit Bull Terrier owner. Of these, veterinary dentistry is vital 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 complete examination 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 rapid accrual of plaque. The teeth are then checked for any remaining plaque. After scaling and polishing, periodontal probes are used to check along each tooth. It is suggested that patients with pre-existing periodontal disease begin antibiotic treatment 3 days before 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 consists 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 common cause of endodontic disease in the American Pit Bull Terrier is a fractured or broken tooth. Any tooth with exposed 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 should notice swelling or draining just below the eyes. These abcesses can be extremely 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 avoiding periodontal disease. It is the most common 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 lead to serious health issues.

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

Restorative Dentistry- Restorative dentistry can repair a tooth before it is destroyed by fractures, breaks or cavities. As a tooth loses its contour it can become prone 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 ease pain due to misaligned teeth or misalignment that will lead to endodontics or periodontal disease. If genetic anomalies are suspected, the owner should ponder having the animal spayed or neutered to prevent the propagation of inferior genes.

Home Care- Home care is the best way to stop the accrual of plaque. There are a number of products available to help support 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 options.

These are some 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 Concerns For The APBT Owner
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