Q: Should I be concerned about my pet’s teeth as they get older? 

A:  Absolutely.  This is an excellent question.  Every year that goes by, there is an increase in plaque/calculus build up on the teeth and under the gum line.  Daily brushing can help control build up but a yearly cleaning under anesthesia will greatly help to prevent tooth loss.  Teeth can have other problems besides periodontal disease that can cause pain.  Evaluation of the mouth and gums during the yearly examination will address that situation.  In addition, bacteria in the diseased mouth can lead to other chronic conditions such as kidney dysfunction and heart valve problems to name just two.  It is vital to have the mouth evaluated as pets age, especially if this has not been done in the past.

Joseph DeSanto, DVM

Dr. DeSanto graduated from The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital. He then joined the staff upon completion of his internship. Dr. DeSanto enjoys internal medicine and veterinary dentistry. He is one of the founding veterinarians of Bergen County's Animal Emergency Preparedness Program. Dr. DeSanto likes to play softball and enjoys woodworking. He sees appointments at Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus and in our Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey office.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Some studies claim that only 1 in 10 pet owners properly look after their pets’ teeth, leading to an even more startling statistic: 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal disease by the age of 3. In hopes of educating Fort Lee pet owners on the importance of proper dental care, Patch interviewed Dr. Donna Bucciarelli, DVM, and Fort-Lee Oradell veterinary hospital’s resident dental care expert.

Q:  Our cat, Snickers, recently changed her eating habits and is now refusing to eat dry food. When she does eat, we have noticed that she chews very slowly and carefully. We think her mouth might hurt, but she won’t let us take a look. When we are able to get close enough to her mouth, her breath smells funny. What do you think could be the problem? Thank you.

A:  Snickers may be suffering from a problem called tooth resorption.  This problem is very common in adult cats; in fact, studies have shown up to 67% of adult cats suffer from this problem.  This problem has also been referred to as “feline oral resorptive lesions” (or FORLs) and is a really common cause of tooth loss in older cats.

The problem often starts as a hole in the tooth at or near the gum line and progresses into the substance of the tooth, extending into the nerves and blood vessels in the center of the tooth.  The lesion can be covered by gum tissue (potentially the body’s attempt to heal or protect the area) or calculus, and so may not be visible.  Sometimes a portion of the tooth, or even the entire crown, can be lost as the lesion progresses.  You should bring Snickers to your veterinarian for an examination.  But, it is likely it will be necessary to anesthetize her and to take oral x rays in order to diagnose and treat the problem because some of these lesions can be very small, or on the inside (tongue side) of the mouth, or sometimes only even visible on x ray.

Tooth resorption lesions are painful but they can be hard to detect.  Cats often will not show overt or obvious signs of pain.  However, some more subtle signs you might notice include: a preference for soft food over kibble, preferring to drink room temperature water instead of cold water, drooling, making a chattering sound when chewing, reluctance to hold toys in the mouth, or chewing preferentially on one side of the mouth.  We often see excessive calculus in areas of the mouth with these lesions because the kitty is avoiding chewing in this area; this may be responsible for the change in Snicker’s breath.

Although veterinarians have tried solutions such as restorations or fillings in the affected teeth; all of the lesions progress despite treatment.  So, the only treatment for these teeth is extraction of the entire tooth; or in some situations, extraction of the crown portion of the tooth.  Unfortunately, despite extensive research, the cause of these lesions is still uncertain and there is no way to prevent them.  Cats with tooth resorption are prone to having other affected teeth in the future; so routine cleanings, oral examinations, and dental x rays are ideal in these patients so that the problem can be detected and treated right away.   Kitties with resorptive lesions tend to do really well after the lesions are extracted–many times owners report increased energy, happiness and appetite after the procedure.  The good news about resorptive lesions is that by getting rid of these troublesome teeth, we are often able to dramatically improve our patients’ comfort and well being!  

Donna Bucciarelli, DVM

Dr. Bucciarelli is a graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship at Oradell Animal Hospital. She is most interested in emergency and critical care medicine and dentistry. Her interests include cooking, swimming, yoga and travel. Donna is a member of the New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps (NJMRC). Donna volunteers her time and professional expertise to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources.