Dental Care
Do you always remember or have time to take care of your pet’s teeth? Pets develop gum disease and other dental problems, just like people.
You can avoid many of these problems by establishing a good dental care routine for your pet at home and scheduling regular dental examinations and cleanings.
Gum Disease
Gum disease starts when soft plaque (the thin, sticky film that builds up on teeth) inflames the gums, a condition called “gingivitis”. If your pet has bad breath and reddening or bleeding gums, he or she has gingivitis.
Gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, which is inflammation and infection of the bone and other tissue surrounding the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease causes loss of bone around the teeth and eventually loss of teeth.
Periodontal disease is painful and can make eating difficult, leading to weight loss. It is also possible for an infection in the mouth to spread through the blood to other organs, such as the kidneys and heart.
Physical signs of gum disease are not always obvious, even when the disease is advanced. That is why it’s important to have your pets’ teeth checked regularly.
Dental Examination
We will examine your pet’s mouth and teeth while your pet is awake.
General anesthesia is necessary to perform a comprehensive exam, take dental radiographs, and perform the professional cleaning and polishing of the teeth.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is necessary to perform a comprehensive exam, take dental radiographs, and perform the professional cleaning and polishing of the teeth.
Mouth Examination
Once your pet is anesthetized, we will examine your pet’s mouth and look for abnormalities such as broken teeth, missing teeth, ulcers, or growths.
Dental Radiographs
We take dental radiographs of all the teeth to visually check the health of the tooth roots and bone.
Periodontal Check
We use a periodontal probe to check for pockets underneath the gum line, where periodontal disease starts.
Plaque Removal
We use an ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque and tartar from crevices and underneath the gum line.
Polishing
After cleaning above and below the gum line, we polish your pets’ teeth to smooth out any scratches in the enamel, as scratches provide the perfect surface for forming more plaque and tartar.
Rinse
We rinse the mouth above and below the gum line with an antibacterial solution to help delay plaque buildup and decrease the chances of infection.
The veterinarian will evaluate the radiographs for any signs of disease or injury to the teeth.
Teeth require care if they are broken, loose, or infected. In some cases, if you desire, we may refer you to a veterinary dentist for services such as root canals and crowns. Veterinary dental specialists with advanced training can perform these dental procedures and more.