The gold standard for dental imaging has long been digital intra-oral radiographs. This diagnostic tool gives us a 2-dimensional view of the hard tissues under the gumline. This includes the bone the tooth roots and other anatomic structures such as sinuses, foramina (where nerves and vessels enter/exit bone, and the temporo-mandibular joints (TMJ). Dental radiographs were first utilized in the 1950s.  They allowed for dentists to truly assess tooth roots for changes associated with infection, inflammation, resorption/breakdown, and even fractures. They are vital to diagnostics, not only ..read more

One of the most common questions we receive during the time of consultation is, “What is the post-anesthesia recovery for pets?” While anesthesia, recovery from anesthesia, and post-operative healing look different for every patient, there are a few key details that are useful in ensuring a smooth recovery after oral surgery.   The post-operative phase is technically 48-72 hours after anesthesia.   This means that although your pet is no longer under anesthesia, the effects of the anesthetic drugs and inhalant may last for 2-3 days after. This may look like dysphoria for a short peri ..read more

We all have a genuine fear of losing teeth. Vanity aside, when we see people with missing teeth, we can visualize facial changes associated with this (bone loss) and we run home to brush our teeth and floss just to make sure it doesn’t happen to us! As veterinary dental specialists (TM), we see a lot of senior dogs and cats. The rule of thumb is the smaller the pet, the longer they live. so a Chihuahua, Miniature Poodle, or Shih Tzu historically lives longer than a German Shepherd, Labrador, or Doberman. These smaller pets do however have oral issues that can affect the mandible and maxilla m ..read more

I am often asked, “does hard food help to prevent plaque in dogs?” and the answer is actually more complex than you would think. The answer partially depends on your pet’s diet plan. Statistically, there is no difference between feeding canned food and non-dental diet-specific food.  That means if you’re feeding Farmer’s Dog or canned food, there is no difference in calculus and plaque accumulation versus if you fed your pet Purina One or ProPlan.   VOHC Approved Diets   The difference occurs when you feed a VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council ) approved diet versus any dry foo ..read more

Antibiotics – they are, at times, essential for life. There was a time in our not-so-distant past, where medical professionals, both veterinary and human, reached for oral antibiotics for almost any disease. Unfortunately, this led to significant antibiotic resistance that we are all now all too familiar with. With the emergence of resistance and super bacteria, along with our growth as a society with understanding and knowledge surrounding antibiotics and their usage, we now try to be much more judicial in their use. In veterinary dentistry, there are still cases where we recommend using anti ..read more

Hand scaling your pet’s teeth, a practice commonly known as “at-home dental care” for pets, can be detrimental to both your pet’s oral health and your own well-being. While it may seem like a cost-effective and convenient way to maintain your pet’s dental hygiene, there are several reasons why hand scaling your pet’s teeth at home is a bad idea and generally not recommended by veterinary professionals.   Handscaling Your Pet’s Teeth at Home is a Bad Idea   First and foremost, attempting to hand scale your pet’s teeth without proper training and equipment can be dangerous for you and ..read more

Dr. Briggs and I see a lot of cats that have generalized gingivitis, gingivostomatitis, and/or tooth resorption.  In each of these cases, the treatment plan is to remove the affected teeth. With the first two disease processes, surgical extraction of all teeth (or sometimes behind the canine teeth) will allow the pet to heal. So the question is how is this possible?  I hear all the time, “Can cats with no teeth live full lives?”  Or even better, “How is my cat going to eat going forward with no teeth?”   These two questions are really not that bad to ask, as the layper ..read more

  It’s that time of year again, can you believe it? Time to talk about the holidays, end of year celebrations, and of course of all the delicious feasts we get to enjoy between now and January. Thanksgiving brings families and friends together for some of the most memorable moments of the year. This also means new faces around our 4-legged family members. How often do we have visitors during the holidays and these very well-meaning friends and family want to show their love to our fur-babies via food!? Here is a quick list of both safe and unsafe foods for our pets during the Thanksgiving ..read more

We live in a society where most of us have some form of health insurance coverage, while fewer have dental and vision coverage. Many employers give you basic health care and then you have to add on the broader coverage. Thankfully, this avoids catastrophic costs when you need it the most. Pet insurance has evolved over the years to become a valuable tool for those who not only want to provide wellness care for their pet, but also need help when more expensive veterinary bills are upon them. Having a dental rider or comprehensive dental care within that policy is such a benefit to have.   ..read more

I played tug of war with my dog for years and years, until I started my dental residency. Then, I learned that tug of war is bad for my dog, specifically their canine teeth. Now, I preach to veterinary practitioners the need to stress avoidance of this method of bonding and playing as it can cause irreversible damage to a valuable tooth.   The Impacts of Tug of War on Dog’s Canine Teeth   Anatomically and physiologically, the canine teeth are basically the ‘hands’ of the dog and cat.  They each use their canine teeth to grasp and hold items and food.  In the wild, the canin ..read more