Good dental care is an important part of your pet’s good health. Both cats and dogs need regular dental care, and our dental services include:
- Oral/dental examinations
- Utilization of digital dental x-ray
- Professional dental cleaning, polishing and fluoride treatment
- Extractions
- Comprehensive pain management during and after the procedure so your pet does not experience dental discomfort
- Use of general anesthesia and local anesthetic for dental procedure
- Vital sign monitoring
- Antibiotic injection to prevent infection
- Pre-anesthetic physical exam and blood test to make sure your pet will be as safe as possible under anesthesia.
Prevention of the most common oral disease in pets (and people) consists of frequent removal of the dental plaque and tartar that forms on your pet’s teeth. We recommend a dental care routine that begins with professional dental cleanings. While basic oral examinations can be performed while your pet is awake, short-term anesthetic must be administered to perform a thorough dental cleaning and polishing.
Our cleaning process begins with an examination of each of your pet’s teeth for mobility, fractures, and malocclusion. We then use a modern and safe ultrasonic cleaner to clean each tooth thoroughly – above and below the gum line. Digital dental radiographs will be taken on mouths with significant dental disease and extractions will be performed only on teeth that are abscessed, fractured or are severely loose. Dental technicians will polish the teeth to create a smooth, lustrous tooth surface which is more resistant to plaque buildup. Fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity.
Brushing your pet’s teeth at home is an important part of pet dental care. We will show you the proper method of brushing your pet’s teeth. We carry dental care products in our pharmacy that will help you take care of your pet’s teeth at home.
We recommend an annual professional cleaning for your pet as a part of his or her wellness plan. However, if you notice any signs of dental disease in your pet, please call us to make an appointment to have your pet’s teeth and mouth checked.
Signs of Dental Disease
- Bad breath
- Yellow, brown or discolored teeth
- Loose teeth
- Red, inflamed gums
- Swollen mouth, jaws or gums
- Doesn’t play with chew toys as often
- Pain when eating
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Increased salivation