Dental Care
An astounding 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. Periodontal disease is a common problem in dogs, particularly smaller breeds. About 28% of cats will develop painful resorptive lesions during their lifetime. The first step in preventing oral disease is a dental examination.
Pet owners should be alerted to potential dental health problems when any of the following signs are noted: drooling, unusual oral odor, pain or difficulty while eating, cracked or missing teeth, dental tartar on teeth or reddened, swollen gums.
Our comprehensive dental procedures involve dental probing and charting. Under anesthesia, the teeth are scaled above and below the gumline using appropriate hand and power instrumentation followed by polishing with a prophy paste. As in human dentistry, radiography is essential for discovering what is hidden below the gumline. Hidden infections can release bacteria into the bloodstream and over time affect the internal organs, including the heart, kidneys and liver. By addressing occult problems such as infection and bone loss as well as painful resorptive lesions in cats, your pet will live longer and more comfortable lives.
After getting your pet's teeth cleaned, our staff will show you before and after digital photos and any radiographs of problem areas. We will discuss what you can do at home to prevent or slow down the progression of oral disease. Although regular tooth brushing is the ideal method, we have numerous alternatives, including special diets, chew treats, rinses and additives to drinking water.
More information is available at the Veterinary Oral Health Council