dentistry
Dental problems are very common in our pets. Unfortunately, they cannot tell us if they have a toothache, but we may notice a change in their eating habits. Routine teeth cleaning are a must for all pets that have large deposits of tartar or plaque buildup on the teeth. We can often identify diseased or infected teeth on a routine exam. Pets must be anesthetized to do a thorough tooth scaling; however, with modern anesthetics, this is a relatively safe procedure.
Clean teeth and healthy gums are essential to your pet's health. Infections are more common in the mouth because they can go undetected for long periods of time. We believe that regular oral exams and ultrasonic tooth scaling when necessary are part of our comprehensive health care goals.
Some Signs of Dental Problems include:
- Bad breath – one of the first signs of dental disease
- A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth
near the gum line - Red and swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when
the mouth or gums are touched - Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
- Loose or missing teeth
Dental problems, if left untreated, can often lead to larger systemic problems in your pet due to oral bacteria entering the blood stream and damaging the kidneys, heart and liver. It is a myth that dry food will prevent tartar accumulation and tooth decay. Also, most of the tartar control treats do just the opposite. They are full of sugars and preservatives that have no nutritive value.
Preventative dental care includes brushing your pet’s teeth at least 3 times a week and a thorough oral exam once or twice a year. Regardless of the type of diet that is fed, tartar can accumulate quickly. It is easy for you to learn how to inspect your pet’s teeth regularly for signs of dental or oral disease.
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