Well.....the answer is pretty straight forward and obvious once you really think about it! So, we eat food! The saliva mixes with the food, bacteria grows (I know...yuck right?!) and dental disease ensues. In ourselves (well...I would like to think the majority of us) we brush after most meals or at least twice daily. This not only removes the plaque, changes the pH of our mouth and decreases the growth of bacteria but helps maintain overall health and have fresh breath!
Once the dental disease progresses to Grade II and greater the gum line is affected, small blood vessels are irritated and bleeding is noted. Bacteria can then enter those vessels that are exposed and transported through the body and all of the organs and tissues. Now you will have liver problems, kidney problems, heart problems and more.
Bacteria can grow on the heart valves and result in Endocardiosis causing the heart to not function properly. It is not uncommon for us the examine a pet with bad dental disease and occasionally hear a heart murmur that has developed.
That same bacteria finds it's way into the liver causing hepatitis. We prefer to complete pre-surgical bloodwork before administering anesthesia to pets and often will find elevated liver values as a result of dental disease.
Bacteria is not the only problem that we encounter. Believe it or not we also see patients that are malnuorished due to the fact that it is either painful to eat or often the infection circulating around in the body is making them feel weak and not interested in eating normally.
Contrary to some beliefs, there is not an age that makes a patient too old to have a dental performed. As age ensues other health problems arrise due to the normal 'wear and tear' on the body systems. Anesthesia is not something that is ever approached lightly and it is important to prepare patients with pre-anesthetic bloodwork and fluid therapy during the procedure. Often antibiotics are administered prior to and following surgery.
Don't get me wrong...the best anesthesia is no anesthesia, however times arrive when we have no choice and fortunately we are capable of handling those situations. If you are not comfortable with the idea of anesthesia you should discuss the concerns with your veterinarian. If you are still not comfortable you may want to get a second opinion.
Fortunately there are a number of products on the market today that will help avoid costly and risky anesthesia. Your best plan is prevention, prevention, prevention!
Check back later this month and we will discuss what is actually performed during the dental procedure and why it is necessary to use general anesthesia and ways that we can prevent dental disease in the first place.
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