Dental Services
Dental health is an extremely important part of your pet's overall health. Untreated accumulation of tartar and bacteria in your pet's mouth can cause other health problems in your pet, such as kidney, liver, and heart conditions. It is not uncommon for pets to need annual dental cleanings to maintain their oral health.
By the age of 3, most pets already have early evidence of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease starts with plaque that hardens into tartar. Tartar above the gum line can be easily seen and removed, but plaque and tartar below the gum line cannot be seen and can cause infection and damage to the jawbone and tissues that connect the tooth to the jaw bone. Periodontal disease is often graded on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe).
By the age of 3, most pets already have early evidence of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease starts with plaque that hardens into tartar. Tartar above the gum line can be easily seen and removed, but plaque and tartar below the gum line cannot be seen and can cause infection and damage to the jawbone and tissues that connect the tooth to the jaw bone. Periodontal disease is often graded on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe).
Symptoms of Oral Health Problems
Dental disease, or periodontal disease, is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets. Some common symptoms of periodontal disease include:
- Bad breath
- Buildup of tartar on the teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Reduced appetite
- Broken or loose teeth
- Abnormal chewing and/or drooling
- Changes in behavior
Dental Exam and Cleaning
Good dental care starts with a thorough oral exam by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will grade the severity of dental disease and create a treatment plan specific for your pet.
Anesthesia is necessary for dental procedures because it allows for a more thorough cleaning and is safer and less stressful for your pet. Although anesthesia will always have risks, the risks are very low and anesthesia is individualized for each pet's needs. The benefits of dental cleanings far outweigh the relatively low risk of anesthesia. Most pets are ready to go home within a few hours of anesthesia.
All dental procedures begin with taking dental radiographs to assess the health of the teeth below the gum line. If necessary, extractions of diseased teeth are performed. Although tooth extraction may sound scary, owners often find that their pets are happier and more comfortable once painful and diseased teeth are removed.
After performing any necessary extractions or treatments, the teeth are then cleaned which includes ultrasonic scaling of the teeth to remove dental plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, followed by polishing the teeth.
Anesthesia is necessary for dental procedures because it allows for a more thorough cleaning and is safer and less stressful for your pet. Although anesthesia will always have risks, the risks are very low and anesthesia is individualized for each pet's needs. The benefits of dental cleanings far outweigh the relatively low risk of anesthesia. Most pets are ready to go home within a few hours of anesthesia.
All dental procedures begin with taking dental radiographs to assess the health of the teeth below the gum line. If necessary, extractions of diseased teeth are performed. Although tooth extraction may sound scary, owners often find that their pets are happier and more comfortable once painful and diseased teeth are removed.
After performing any necessary extractions or treatments, the teeth are then cleaned which includes ultrasonic scaling of the teeth to remove dental plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, followed by polishing the teeth.
Home Dental Care
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Home dental care is essential for preventing plaque and tartar buildup. Brushing your pet's teeth is the single most effective method of removing plaque from your pet's teeth and preventing tartar buildup. With patience and training, most dogs and cats can learn to accept brushing.
While daily or weekly brushing is ideal, if brushing is not an option for you and your pet there are some other products we recommend to help prevent the buildup of tartar, such as:
VOHC Accepted Product List |
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