When was the last time you had your pet’s teeth cleaned? According to the AVMA, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3! Dental health is often overlooked in pets, but it is incredibly important to their health!
Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats
Dental disease is the most common disease to affect pets. The process of dental disease starts every time your pet eats. When your pet eats, food particles get on their teeth and gums. This fuels the bacteria in your pet’s mouth, causing an acid attack on the enamel of their teeth and creating a sticky, clear substance called plaque. If the plaque is left on teeth, it hardens into tartar/calculus. When calculus is left on your pet’s teeth for an extended period of time, it can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, oral infections, and tooth abscesses. Periodontal disease can cause serious health issues such as heart, liver, and kidney disease. In order to avoid these potentially life-threatening conditions, it is important to keep your pet’s teeth clean with a combination of at-home care (brushing) and regular veterinary teeth cleanings.
Signs of Dental Disease in Pets
When it comes to detecting potential oral health problems in pets, owners must be vigilant in noticing changes in behavior. Pets often do not act like they are in pain until the pain is severe. If you notice any of the signs below, it is important that you contact us to schedule an oral exam.
- Bad breath
- Loose/broken teeth
- Red/bleeding gums
- Reluctance to eat
- Drooling or bleeding from mouth
- Dropping food from mouth
- Painful around mouth or pawing at face
- Facial swelling under eye
Dental Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings require your pet to be under general anesthesia. After your pet is placed under anesthesia, a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) will perform dental x-rays and clean your pet's teeth under veterinarian supervision. Our dental cleanings include:
- Complete oral exam assessing each tooth for signs of periodontal disease such as pockets, broken/fractured, or discolored teeth
- Full mouth digital dental x-rays to assess the teeth and roots under the gum line
- A thorough teeth cleaning utilizing hand instruments and an ultrasonic scaler
- Polishing each tooth to smooth the enamel
- Perform extractions of diseased or broken teeth if needed