By the age of three years, 80% of pets have the beginning stages of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is painful, and can cause/worsen kidney, heart, liver disease, and lead to stroke. Studies indicate that pets with good oral hygiene tend to live 2 to 4 years longer.

Reasons for regular dental check-ups: 

  • Avoid tooth loss due to periodontal disease
  • Help your pet avert unnecessary pain
  • Help your pet maintain healthy and functional teeth
  • Improve foul breath
  • Limit potential damage to the brain, heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys

What does a pet dental procedure involve? 

Pets can experience many of the same dental issues that humans do, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, necessary tooth extraction, and deep scaling. Regular dental exams and cleanings can help you avoid the costliness of involved dental procedures and can help prevent your pet from unnecessary suffering.

Pet dental exams are similar to human dental exams and involve teeth cleaning, polishing, and dental x-rays. If more serious conditions are discovered, tooth extraction, biopsy, or referral to a board certified dentist might be recommended.

Your pet will be under anesthesia for the procedure to ensure highest safety, and to ensure the best diagnostic and treatment capabilities. During your pet’s teeth cleaning, an ultrasonic scaler will be used to gently clean the surface of the teeth, using the vibration of sound waves and water. After scaling the teeth, a polishing tool will be used to buff your pet’s teeth to complete their dental cleaning.

If surgical extractions are needed, a local numbing agent will be used, the tooth and all its roots will be extracted, the bone smoothed, and the incision sutured closed.

After the cleaning, we will provide you with a comprehensive analysis of your pet’s oral health. You will receive at-home oral hygiene tips specific to your pet, and if any serious dental conditions exist, you will be notified prior to any treatment planning.

Some simple home hygiene tips are: 

  • Brushing your pet’s teeth as little as one time a week can cut down on 50-60% of tartar build-up.
  • Dental products approved by the VOHC can help protect gums and lessen tartar.
  • Dry pet food is better for teeth than canned food; it causes abrasion to tooth surfaces when chewed, helping remove tartar build-up. Other treats such as raw-hide can also help remove built-up plaque.
  • There are many pet toys that support dental health, and provide enrichment/ entertainment at the same time. 

Remember, creating a smooth clean tooth surface makes it more difficult for tartar and plaque to build up!

If you would like to schedule a professional dental cleaning for your pet, call our office or schedule an appointment, and allow your pet to experience a healthy smile!