We all realize the importance of our own dental routines to prevent the occurrence of dental disease within ourselves; dental care for our dogs and cats is equally important. Dental disease or periodontal disease is the most widespread disease associated with 80% of dogs. It can lead to irritated gums, painful dental infections, tooth loss and can cause bacteria to travel through the bloodstream and compromise vital organs. Fortunately, with a proper dental routine designed for our pets, periodontal disease in most cases is preventable.
Periodontal disease starts with the build-up of plaque (a colorless film that contains bacteria) on the tooth’s surface. If the plaque is not removed or brushed away, then it can create an infection that will destroy your animal’s gums and the tissue, as well as the bone holding the teeth in place. And when leftover longer periods of time, the plaque then turns into a hard yellow or brown build-up, called tartar.
Depending on the stage of dental disease, signs will vary. From bad breath, hard yellow or brown buildup on teeth, red and bleeding gums, difficulty eating or chewing, loss of appetite, drooling and tooth loss.
You may not realize that your pet’s mouth plays a large part in their overall health. Our dental services include teeth cleaning, polishing, tooth extractions and dental oral surgery. We also offer dental radiology to help us determine which teeth are causing problems. Cleaning of tartar is accomplished with an ultrasonic scaler/polisher instrument, very similar to equipment your dentist or hygienist uses. In addition, our dental procedures include the treatment of cavities, gum disease and various periodontal problems. Once the procedure is performed, all our instruments are sterilized to prevent the spread of disease between patients. Our veterinarians will do a check of your dog or cat’s teeth during each annual wellness exam and often during any of your visits.
We will confirm your appointment along with important instructions, day prior to surgery. Upon your arrival and check-in you will review the dental procedure, go over some basic questions and admit your pet for surgery. After the cleaning procedure the veterinarian will examine the pet’s teeth thoroughly. Should there be any areas of concerns, you will be contacted. Our main priority is to inform the owner of the problematic areas which can be arranged at another time or during current procedure.
