It is important to
clean under the gum line to stop the development and progression of periodontal disease.
This is done under general anesthesia to allow for thorough examination and cleaning,
including under the gum line.
We see many cats with almost total destruction of the tooth
occurring under the gum line, yet the tooth appears normal on visual inspection.
A build - up of tartar will
get under the gums where infection can then become established.
As the plaque and tartar
spread under the gum line, they begin to damage the supporting tissues of the teeth.
In addition, a thorough cleaning of each aspect of the tooth including the
area under the gum must involve general anesthesia to be done correctly.
Many teeth that tend to look normal on the outside can have significant amounts of
disease under the gum line.
In most cases, this means your dog will be placed under anesthesia so the veterinarian can clean
deep under his gums.
Anything more than a 3 mm pocket
under the gums in dogs, and 0.5 mm in cats, is significant.
Your pet's teeth are cleaned to remove plaque and tartar, particular attention is given to «hidden»
problems under the gum line.
This disease process develops because of the reaction to bacteria growing in the food / saliva residue
left under the gum line after eating.
This vital diagnostic tool allows us to evaluate dental
structures under the gum line that are not visible on oral exam.
X-rays are important because they can show the doctor what is going
on under the gum line.
To accomplish this correctly a general anesthesia must be provided for each pet patient to clean the plaque and dental
debris under the gum line.
In advanced cases, affected teeth essentially dissolve until only a
bump under the gum is left.
Sometimes, pet parents can't even see the problem with their pet's teeth, as much of the disease
happens under the gum line.
This involves removing tartar and debris from the part of the tooth you can't see — the
part under the gum.
A dental cleaning not only removes visible tartar from an animal's teeth, but also bacteria
under the gums which eliminates potential sources of infection to the mouth and other organs.
Cleaning the tooth
surfaces under the gum line is the most critical part of a dental procedure; this is where periodontal disease is active.
When the pet is awake, we would also be unable to complete thorough
inspections under the gums in order to detect underlying pockets and periodontal disease.
This is the beginning of long - term gum disease and inflammation because bacteria are
active under the gum line.
Under - the - gum cleaning is the most important part
since under the gum is where periodontal disease thrives.
A large amount of water is used to cool the device that also helps remove the trapped debris
from under the gums.
After cleaning, gum margins are examined for pockets, exposed roots or infection
hidden under the gum - line and treated appropriately.
Also, periodontal disease, or disease of the gums and support structures of the teeth,
occurs under the gum line and is very difficult to visualize.
Although some pet grooming shops and veterinarians offer teeth cleaning without anesthesia, it is ineffective in
getting under the gums, which is where most dental problems reside.
This can then
spread under the gum line, causing tissue damage and eventually leading to loss of the tooth.
Our dental's begin with digital x-rays of the patient's teeth and structures
lying under the gum - line.