Many Dog Owners Neglect Dental Needs

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American Pit Bull Terrier owners have numerous responsibilities. 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 examination of the oral cavity. Most scaling procedures require the use of mechanical and/or hand scalers. After the teeth have been properly scaled, they must be polished stop the speedy accrual of plaque. The teeth are then inspected for any remaining plaque. Following 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 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 is made of nerves, blood vessels and other tissues. Dental pulp is vital 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 fractured or broken tooth. All teeth 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 around 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 averting 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 swelling around the gum line, should be reported to a veterinarian for a check-up. Dental radiography can aid in 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 option 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 prevent 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 generally 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 a few of the dental issues a responsible American Pit Bull Terrier owner needs to know. Any specific issues should be immediately reported to a veterinarian.

Many Dog Owners Neglect Dental Needs
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