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Dental exams and Cleaning

Pets are very good at hiding the signs of dental disease. However, an observant owner can sometimes detect oral disease in their cats or dogs from simply being watchful. Some of the signs include:

·       Bad breath

·       Reluctant chewing

·       Increased salivation

·       Unusual pawing at the face

·       Bleeding gums

·       Missing and/or loose teeth

·       Increased tartar buildup

·       Swollen gums and bad breath

Unfortunately, pets seldom exhibit signs of dental disease, even when severe. For this reason, it is important to have regular dental examinations performed by the a veterinarian. Good dental hygiene is just as important for pets as it is for humans. Don’t wait until it’s too late to visit a pet dental clinic.  

We are very pleased to offer state-of-the-art digital dental x-rays for all of our dental procedures. Dental x-rays are an extremely important tool that helps us to more accurately detect and properly treat serious and painful dental conditions in your pet.

The health of a tooth can be difficult to evaluate by just looking at what we can see above the gumline. Unless the disease is already advanced and the problem is obvious, many teeth may appear healthy to the naked eye but in reality, be hiding the more subtle disease. About 2/3 of your pet’s tooth is hidden below the gums, and this part of the tooth called the root, can only be examined by taking an x-ray.

When your pet comes to us for a dentistry procedure, x-rays are taken of every tooth in their mouth, just like when you go to the human dentist. We will evaluate each individual tooth as well as the jaw bone around them to look for hidden problems, and also to help decide whether or not extraction is necessary for any teeth that are questionable to the naked eye. It is not uncommon for us to find unexpected diseases such as root disease, tooth root abscesses, resorptive lesions (cavities), retained baby teeth, bone cysts or other abnormalities of the jaw on dental x-rays. All of these conditions are painful and can lead to future problems, and may go unnoticed without x-rays.

Dental x-rays are an invaluable tool in helping us recognize and effectively treat your pet’s dental problems. They allow us to be more accurate in our treatment decisions and help us to reach our ultimate goal – a happy pet with a healthy, pain-free mouth.

 

Home Dental Care

The key to good pet dental hygiene is prevention. Instituting a preventative dental program can be very simple yet extremely rewarding. From special diets, treats, tooth brushing to routine dental cleanings, pets may never have to experience the pain and feeling of illness associated with dental disease. With access to the right knowledge, skills and facilities, your pet will never have to suffer from dental ailments.

Routine home care should be started at 3-4 months of age.  Depending on the size of your dog, an infant or children’s toothbrush with soft bristles can be used.  Try to make brushing an enjoyable and rewarding experience.  Patience and time are the two mainstays.  It takes an average of two months for your pet to get used to having their teeth brushed, however, the health rewards are well worth it.

There are good kinds of toothpaste available for your pet available at our clinic.  Human toothpaste should never be used!

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Dental Disease

Statistics reveal good oral hygiene is fairly rare among our pets.  More often than not, your pet is vulnerable or already has some form of oral disease by age 2.  Dental disease can significantly decrease a pets quality of life as well as their life expectancy.  We strive to keep your pets in excellent dental health.

You may not think you need to make regular appointments for your pet’s teeth, or that their dental health is good because you don’t see any visible problems. There are, however, several dental problems your pet could face. If your pet is not given proper dental care, it is likely he/she may develop any of the following conditions:

Dentistry

·       Gingivitis

·       Dental abscesses

·       Tooth loss

·       Pain

·       Liver disease

·       Kidney disease

·       Bone infection

Dental disease often results in extreme pain and feelings of sickness in your pet.

Types of Bridges:

  • Traditional — Caps are bonded over teeth that lie on either side of the missing one

  • Cantilever — Cap is bonded over a single tooth next to the missing one

  • Resin-bonded — Porcelain or plastic teeth with gums that are supported by metal “wings”

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Veneers

If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are non-invasive and are resistant to future stains.

Common uses for veneers:

  • Chipped or broken teeth

  • Misshapen or irregular teeth

  • Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments

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