Dog Dental Care

Why is Dental Health Important? Dental health is a critical aspect of your pet’s overall health. Dental disease is painful and can lead to other health issues such as kidney disease, heart disease and bacterial infections. Some signs of dental disease include:

• Bad breath
• Red, irritated gums along the teeth
• Discoloration
• Yellow/brown hardened layer on teeth (tartar)
• Loose teeth
• Fractured or worn-down teeth
• Pain or discomfort when face is touched
• Pawing or scratching at face
• Swelling or draining lumps on the face
• Lack of appetite or difficulty chewing

What types of canine dental care services are offered at your clinic?

During your initial appointment, with the Veterinarian, we will do a complete physical exam and get a general idea of your pet’s oral health. We will then create an estimate for a cleaning and include any extractions we can predict. It is impossible to tell which teeth, if any, need extraction until your pet is under anesthesia, the mouth is explored, and x-rays are taken. During your scheduled dental procedure, your pet will be anesthetized, and their teeth will be scaled and polished and each individual tooth assessed for disease processes. Any problem teeth will be noted, possibly x-rayed and may be extracted if necessary.

How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?

Once your pet’s teeth are cleaned and scaled, we highly recommend maintaining their teeth by regular teeth brushing, offering safe items to chew on (such as Greenies or Medi-Chews), feeding dental diets such as Royal Canin Dental or Hill’s t/d, and also routine cleanings. Brushing your pet’s teeth removes the plaque before it turns into calculus (hard brownish yellow coating, also known as tartar). Calculus and gingivitis promote periodontal disease, which is responsible for the majority of bone and supporting connective tissue structure loss, resulting in extractions. Many clients comment that their pet has more energy and is much happier after having their dental disease treated.

Why is oral and dental health important?

Dental disease is painful and can cause numerous other health issues such as heart and kidney disease since the body is constantly trying to fight off the infection and heal the inflammation. It is not normal for your pet’s breath to stink and smelly breath is one of the first signs of dental disease.