Our hospital provides the very best veterinary dental and oral surgery care possible. All patients are cared for using evidence-based medicine and the latest technology. Dr. Ben H. Colmery, DAVDC and Dr. Jamie A. Berning work together with our highly skilled and caring staff to provide excellent care and service to our patients and their people.
But it doesn't seem to bother my pet!
This is a common observation by pet owners when problems are found in their pet’s mouth. Yes, the fractured tooth or inflamed gums hurt. It’s just that animals evolved masking their discomfort. If an animal displayed weakness from an illness a predator would consume them for lunch. Our companion animals evolved as pack animals which required them to mask any problems...
Red gums and bad breath
The number one problem companion animals experience in their mouths is periodontal disease. This is a progressive disease and once diagnosed the goal is to control it while preserving the teeth with which they eat. The usual presentation is a pet with halitosis. When the mouth is examined typically there is significant plaque and calculus (tartar) on the crowns.
Fractured teeth, the silent disease
Fractured teeth represent a silent disease. Pets do not grab their cell phones and call their dentist when this happens – people do. As discussed, pets mask their discomfort. In the case of fractured teeth with pulp (nerve exposure) the tooth is painful for a few days then as the pulp dies the acute pain subsides. This give the pet owner the false sense that everything is fine.
