Sometimes, a pet’s teeth are so bad that the only humane treatment is to pull all of the teeth. Pets can still live long and happy lives without their teeth, as long as their owners are willing to take special care with their diets and regularly brush their gums. Warrenville Grove Animal Hospital in Warrenville, IL, looks at the facts about full mouth extractions.
Why Extract All of a Pet’s Teeth?
There are two main reasons why pets need full mouth extractions. The first reason is that the teeth are rotten or somehow damaged beyond repair, such as if the pet got into a car accident. The second reason is a gum disease in pets called stomatitis.
Gingivitis, a better-known gum disease, precedes stomatitis. A pet with stomatitis is in such pain that it can no longer eat or groom. If oral medications don’t successfully treat stomatitis, then full mouth extraction is the only alternative.
Extracting is Not the Same as Pulling
Pulling teeth is the old way to remove a bad tooth. Extraction is a complex pet dental surgical procedure with pre-surgical testing, anesthesia, X-rays to make sure all of the bits of teeth are removed, and post-op care.
Caring for a Toothless Pet
The pet needs to go on an exclusively soft diet. Pets can still eat kibble, provided that it has been soaked long enough to make it very soft. Pets need their gums brushed. Although this might seem like shutting the barn door after the horse escapes, brushing does prevent further disease to the gums.
Bacteria that cause plaque are still in your pet’s mouth, whether or not the pet has any teeth. Dogs still like to chew, even if they do not have any teeth, so give them soft toys, perhaps with a little peanut butter.
Preventing Pet Dental Disease
You can avoid full mouth extraction for your pet by regularly brushing your pet’s teeth using only toothpaste made for pets. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to brush your pet’s teeth. Give treats that specifically help to clean the teeth and massage the gums. If your pet will not accept having its teeth brushed, then your pet needs a veterinary dental cleaning at least once a year.
Dental Cleanings
Pets will not stay still to have their teeth cleaned, so they need to go under anesthesia. During the cleaning, your veterinarian will do a thorough check of the mouth for any other problems.
Still Have Questions?
If you have further questions about full mouth extractions in pets and live in the Warrenville, IL area, contact Warrenville Grove Animal Hospital by email at [email protected] or by phone at (630) 393-1131 to make an appointment today.
