When you take care of your pet’s dental health you also protect them from other complications. Many pets suffer from dental disease as oral hygiene is not prioritized by many pet owners. This leads to problems in the mouth that can travel to other parts of your pet’s body. Dental problems are extremely uncomfortable for your furry friend, which is why it’s important to stay on top of their oral health. Veterinarians recommend that you brush your pet’s teeth daily with quality products made for them and ensure they have a professional dental cleaning every year. With a dental appointment we demonstrate techniques on how to brush your pet’s teeth and recommend good quality foods and treats that help improve their oral health.
What is dental disease in pets?
As your pet eats food there’s leftover pieces mixing with saliva and bacteria in their mouth. When the food and bacteria isn’t brushed away they form plaque over your pet’s teeth. Over time this plaque hardens and becomes tartar which cannot be removed by regular brushing. This bacteria damages their teeth and gums and can get into their blood and spread to other organs. This is when you begin to notice signs of gum disease. Your pet will have inflammation, infections, chronic pain and deteriorating teeth and gums. These changes don’t happen immediately, it takes a while to notice signs of dental disease. As the disease progresses you may notice:
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Red or bleeding gums
- Reluctant to be touched on the face or head
- Blood on chew toys
- Nasal discharge when sneezing
If you suspect your pet has dental disease please schedule an appointment by calling 705-434-2226.
Why is dental care so important?
Taking care of your pet’s mouth is important because it is directly connected to their quality of life and health. Dental disease comes with infections that can spread to other parts of their body. The oral cavity is supplied by blood vessels and nerves which makes it easy for infections to spread to the bloodstream.
What happens during a dental appointment?
During dental appointments we give your loyal companion’s mouth a thorough cleaning. We perform dental X-rays to diagnose dental disease below the gum line and bloodwork to detect any infections. To clean your pet’s teeth we place them under anesthesia to make the process easier and comfortable for them. Dental equipment is used to remove tartar and plaque below the gum line. Bacteria below the gum line flourishes without dental cleanings and can cause infections at the root of their tooth and jaw. We finish off the dental cleaning by polishing their teeth. Based on your pet’s dental health our team will make suggestions on how to improve their care.
Can my pet have dental cleanings without anesthesia?
Dental cleanings without anesthesia are painful and unsafe. We value the safety of your pet during the procedure which is why we use anesthesia. The dental equipment used to remove bacteria, plaque and tartar are sharp and can be too uncomfortable to bear. It is also impossible to see and clean below the gum line without anesthesia. Anesthesia is the only way we can perform a deep and safe cleaning of your pet’s mouth.
