"Dental Care"

Dental care is an important part of your pet’s overall health.  Not only is it the most common cause of bad breath, but it can severely affect other organ systems.

Why is dental care important for animals?
Dental care is important for a number of reasons. Not only do clean teeth appear and smell better, they can impact your animal’s overall health. Dental disease is uncomfortable for your pet and can affect their ability to chew their food. Bacteria hides below the gumline and can spread to other organs including the liver, kidneys, and the heart. These blood-borne infections can significantly impact organ function and may even be life-threatening.

Why does my pet need anesthesia to have his or her teeth cleaned?
When your pet is safely under anesthesia, this allows for a thorough evaluation of dental health above and below the gumline. The gross tartar can be scaled off and the surface of the teeth polished. The polishing is important to remove microscopic abrasions on the tooth surface to which plaque adheres. With severe dental disease, there is bacteria that festers below the gum line. If there are any loose teeth, they can be extracted at this time. Loose teeth that are infected are often painful and tend to trap food and plaque, further worsening the existing dental disease.

What are the antibiotics for?
With severe dental disease, there is bacteria that fester below the gumline. During the cleaning, there is a risk that those bacteria can enter the bloodstream. The antibiotics prevent a systemic infection and facilitate the healing of the gums after the cleaning

But aren’t extractions painful and do they affect how my animal eats?
Initially, there is some discomfort. The Dr. will prescribe pain medication for several days as the gum heals and some animals require a softer diet for several days. In the long term, your pet will be more comfortable. Extractions rarely affect an animal’s ability to eat after a few days.

What can I do at home?
The best care is through prevention. Daily brushings with a pet toothpaste are an ideal way to improve oral hygiene. It is best started when a pet is young and can serve as an effective bonding experience. For owners unable to brush their pet’s teeth, several chews and rinses can be used to minimize bacteria. Ask us for what is appropriate for your pet. Regular professional cleanings are an important aspect of your pet’s dental care. The frequency depends on the pet. Some require a dental cleaning and polishing every few months while other can go several years between cleanings.

What about the non-anesthetic cleanings?
While the degree of dental evaluation, cleaning, and polishing is not as complete as one under anesthesia, we offer non-anesthetic dental cleanings to our patients with a mild degree of dental disease. More severe disease is best evaluated and treated under anesthesia. Ask us if your pet is a candidate for a non-anesthetic dental.