Dentistry

Annual dental exams and cleanings are recommended to protect your pet from many health problems and help them maintain a healthy and clean mouth. Many health problems start in the mouth. Plaque, tartar, periodontal disease, and infected teeth serve as a source of inflammation and infection for the rest of the body. Dental disease is one of the most common problems that we see in dogs and cats. It can cause drooling, reluctance to eat, swelling, bad breath, redness of the gums, loose teeth and tooth discoloration. 

Overview

Studies show that 50% of all dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease. That number jumps to 80% in pets that are 3 years of age or older. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause infection, pain, and tooth loss over time. It can also lead to serious health problems like microscopic changes in the heart, liver, and kidneys. Because of this, we recommend an annual veterinary dental healthcare examination for all pets.

Dental care for my pet

Dental issues and dental related diseases can easily be prevented by visiting our veterinarians regularly for dental examinations and cleanings. We take a comprehensive approach to dental care including dental health assessment, treatment, and prevention. Dental cleanings should be done at least once a year. We offer a wide variety of chews approved by the veterinary oral health council.

Anesthetic Dentals

Dog and cat dental cleanings are very similar to human dental cleanings, except that we are required to use anesthesia to properly and safely examine and clean the teeth. Once they are under anesthesia, our veterinarians perform a thorough oral exam and check for signs of disease like gum loss, root exposure, or pockets around the root. Also similar to human dentistry, we do full mouth radiographs (x-rays) of your pet. This allows our veterinarians to be able to evaluate the roots of your pet's teeth as well as any disease or abnormalities that are located below the gum line and not visible on examination alone.

Tooth Extractions

We make every effort to save teeth that we feel have a chance to be successfully treated. In many circumstances, however, periodontal disease is so advanced that treatment without extraction is unsuccessful. We only extract teeth that in the doctor's opinion are beyond saving. If this is the case, the doctor will call you during the procedure to go over the x-ray findings and what the treatment plan will be. Pain medications are administered in clinic and provided for in-home aftercare. 

Dentistry at Animal Medical Center

Our fully equipped dental suite has been designed to provide our patients with the best dental care possible. We know how important it is for your pet’s health to prevent dental disease. Our dental suite offers x-rays, warm water pads, ultrasonic scaler and polisher, and much more, all to keep those “teefs” bright, white and healthy for their life.

Call us today to discuss your pet's dental care needs and schedule your appointment.