Numerous Dental Concerns For APBT Owners
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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
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 rapid 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 recommended 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, or pulp, and the tip of the tooth root. The pulp is made of
nerves, blood vessels and other tissues. Dental pulp is esssential 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 may
cause abcess. The owner may 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 around the tooth. Periodontal disease is difficult
to control once it has developed; which makes prevention of utmost
importance. 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 left untreated, periodontal
disease can lead to serious health issues.
Dental Radiography- Dental radiography assists in the treatment of
difficult extractions and occasionaly dental restorations. Any broken
or chipped 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- Fractures, breaks and cavities can destroy
teeth, but restorative dentistry can repair damage before it destroys a
tooth.. When teeth lose their contour they can become predisposed to
periodontal disease. Covering the tooth with a crown is one option for
repairing a tooth with coronal structure loss.
Orthodontics- Orthodontics deal with the prevention and correction of
irregularities and misalignment of the teeth. The main 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 avoid the accumulation of
plaque. There are a number of products available to help support proper
dental hygiene for the American Pit Bull Terrier. Home care typically
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. Any specific issues should be immediately
reported to a veterinarian.
Numerous Dental Concerns For APBT Owners
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