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SERVICES - DENTISTRY
Clean teeth = A Longer Life
It might sound like an exaggerated toothpaste commercial, but it's true. Pets that receive proper dental care live an average of two to four years longer than those with untreated dental disease.
Like people, animals can suffer from gingivitis and periodontal disease. Common symptoms are bad breath (halitosis), red gums, tartar, loose teeth, and possibly trouble eating.
If left untreated, these problems can cause pain and lead to systemic infections affecting their organs like the liver, kidneys, and heart.
So don't forget your pet's teeth!
What preventative steps can I take?
Most pets over four years of age develop tartar. It's best to start your pet early with a dental routine, while they're still puppies or kittens. Brush their teeth regularly – every day is best! If they refuse to let you brush, veterinarian recommended food for a dental diet, dental chews or another cleaning aid can be used. We have a number of these products and can show you how to use them at home.
How often do I need to bring my pet in for a dental cleaning?
The interval between teeth cleanings depends on how quickly plaque and tartar form on your pet's teeth, their diet, and how often you brush their teeth. This can be evaluated during a routine or an annual examination.
What is a dental procedure like?
During a basic procedure, we'll remove tartar and plaque with an ultrasonic scaler, examine each tooth to check for any abnormalities, check the gum tissue, and polish the teeth to help decrease future build up. If deemed necessary during the initial exam, we'll also digitally X-ray the tooth roots and surrounding bone.
Depending on the condition of the teeth, we may need to extract severely diseased teeth. However, we'll discuss this with you after your pet's initial exam.
Sometimes we will only be able to determine if a tooth needs to be extracted during the procedure, with the help of instruments and dental digital x-rays. If a tooth must come out, local anesthetics and oral pain medication will be provided for your pet.
Is anesthesia required for dentistry?
Yes. General anesthesia is required during dental work for several reasons:
- To effectively control pain
- To allow us to properly clean above and below the gum line
- To allow for the placement of an endotracheal tube to prevent debris from getting into the respiratory system
Prior to receiving anesthesia, we'll examine your pet and administer pre-operative tests depending on their age and condition. During the procedure, we closely monitor your pet to ensure normal heart and respiratory functions.
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Services