Did you know that dental disease is the most common condition of dogs and cats? Over the age of three, most pets have some evidence of periodontal disease. This can include bad breath, plaque, tarter, broken or mobile teeth, and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). To help maintain a healthy mouth our cats and dogs need a dental cleaning and oral health assessment almost every year! We perform full mouth radiographs on all of our pets to evaluate for problems under the gum line, that would otherwise go undetected.
Just like with people, good oral health care helps our pets live longer, more comfortable lives. Regular dental cleanings can help reduce the number of teeth lost to periodontal disease, but when a tooth is badly diseased and painful it needs to be extracted. A general anesthetic is required to properly clean and assess teeth under the gum line (where it matters most). We perform pre-anesthetic blood tests to ensure your pet is healthy enough for the procedure. After the dental cleaning we will send you home with a dental chart of your pet’s mouth and information about how to best care for your pet’s oral health at home.
Annual wellness exams and routine dental care allows us to identify and address problems early. Do you have more questions about dental care? Let’s talk about it next time you’re in the clinic for a wellness exam!