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Comprehensive Dental Care for Pets
Just like humans, pets need proper dental care too! At TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Davidson, we offer preventative care and routine dental cleanings, dental extractions, and dental radiography to keep your pet in good health.
Dentistry
Periodontal disease is a common condition affecting dogs and cats over the age of 3 years, and will worsen if preventive measures are not taken. When plaque and tartar move below the gumline, they can cause resorptive lesions, damage the jawbone and connective tissues causing oral pain, and provide access for infection to travel through the body affecting other organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart.
We will check your pet’s oral health during the annual exam to detect any problems and provide insight on clues that may indicate your pet has oral discomfort, such as: bad breath, drooling, dropping food, bleeding or swelling. If necessary, a dental prophylaxis will be scheduled, which may include an x-ray to see what is happening below the gumline. 2/3rd of the tooth structure is underneath the gum line, so dental x-rays are essential to understand our patients’ full dental health.
A prophylaxis includes a thorough cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, and possibly extractions, plus polishing teeth. More extensive dentistry could include filing or repair and adjustment of your pet’s teeth, as well as other aspects of oral health care.
Naturally, our pets do not understand why these things need to be done and will react, even with local pain meds, by trying to flee and even bite. To alleviate their stress and pain and to prevent injury to themselves, your pet will be anesthetized. This will also allow for better cleaning and x-ray results since your pet will be quite still. Don’t worry, your friend will be evaluated prior to the procedure to ensure anesthesia is safe to administer, and will likely go home with you the same day, although may seem a little woozy for the rest of the day.
More on Pet Dentistry
Remember, your pet’s teeth aren’t just for show. They’re a vital part of their body, and problems with their teeth can lead to significant pain and, even worse, infection. These infections can then spread and lead to life-threatening issues for your pet.
Even if major infections don’t spread, pain from teeth that haven’t been properly cared for can be intense. It can cause everything from reduced appetite to less enjoyment when playing. Pain of any kind can make pets anxious and, in severe cases, aggressive. Pain in the mouth can be particularly troubling for pets.
The greatest danger to your pet is #1 pain, and #2 that bacterial infections enter your pet’s bloodstream. From here, the bacteria can spread throughout the body quickly and can cause life-threatening issues like kidney, liver, or heart disease.
At TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Davidson, we recommend preventative dental care as part of your pet’s regular examinations. You should also bring your pet in if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Teeth that are discolored or chipped
- Gums that are very red, swelled, or bloody
- More drooling than is normal for your pet
- Resistance to eating, chewing, or holding items in the mouth
- Swallowing food whole without chewing
- Pawing at their mouth or face, continuously opening and closing their mouth, or other behavior that suggests their mouth is causing discomfort or pain
Dental Cleanings
Based on what we find when we examine your pet’s mouth, we might recommend a Complete Oral Radiology, Examination, and Treatment (“CORE-T”) dental cleaning procedure.
This will provide a deep-clean of your pet’s teeth and gums to get rid of any developing dental diseases or infections. These cleanings go beyond just brushing the teeth, which doesn’t address problems below the gumline.
Dental Care at Home
The short time we spend with your pet can’t be expected to protect them from all oral and dental health problems. The most important care comes from you at home. This includes the products you use (we’ll make the best recommendations!) that can help your pet fight plaque and tartar. The good news is that many of these will seem like treats for your pet. That said, there’s no substitute for regular brushings. The earlier you can start with brushing a new pup’s teeth, the more comfortable they’ll be with the process. Please check out VOHC.org as a great resource for dental care in our pets.
