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Better Dental Care, Better Quality of Life
Over 80% of pets are diagnosed with some form of dental disease by the age of three. Dental care in pets can easily be overlooked, but one of the most basic steps you can take to ensure your pet is happy, healthy and free of dental disease is to keep your pet’s teeth clean!
Dental Examinations
Helping your dog or cat maintain proper dental hygiene isn’t just about fresh breath – it serves as a safeguard against bacteria. Bacteria in your pet’s mouths can cause infections and pain. Pathogens from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs of the body such as the liver, kidney, lungs, and heart. This can lead to serious and life-threatening infections.
Pets need their teeth and gums cared for just as humans do. If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it may be a sign they have gum disease.
- Discolored teeth
- Unusually foul-smelling breath
- Bleeding or inflamed gums
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Favoring one side of the mouth
Dental examinations are conducted by one of our veterinarians to fully evaluate your pet’s oral health. We will examine in and around the mouth, gums, and teeth to check for any signs of dental disease. We will discuss suspected diseased teeth with you at the time of the exam and provide you with an estimate of the costs associated with the dental prophylaxis and possible extractions.
Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings are recommended after we have fully assessed the severity of your pet’s dental disease. During this process, we clean the areas around the teeth and below the gumline. This technique fully rids the mouth of bacteria and dental disease. For this procedure, all pets are safely placed under general anesthesia in order to prevent pain and stress in your pet. Any diseased teeth will be extracted while your pet is anesthetized.
Dental X-Rays
If we observe any tartar, tooth decay, or other signs of dental disease, we recommend that your pet have digital radiographs taken of their teeth. This will allow our veterinarians to further assess the problem and determine the proper treatment.
Dental Hygiene
At-home care is an easy step all pet owners can take to ensure that their pet’s mouth is clean and free of infection. While this may appear overwhelming to new pet owners, we will discuss everything with you in detail – it may be a simpler process than you may think. This will include brushing with special toothpaste, water additives, dental chew toys, and even pet food specifically designed to break down plaque. One of our veterinarians can make proper recommendations based on your pet’s current hygiene.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or need instructional advice on how to help your pet maintain proper dental hygiene, we are here to help. Just give us a call!
