Dental Care

Clean teeth and a healthy mouth are essential to your pet's overall health. Regular dental cleanings and exams do more than just prevent bad breath. The health of your pet's teeth, gums and mouth has a profound impact on the rest of his or her body.

Animal Medical Clinic uses the latest in digital dental x-ray technology when evaluating your pet's dental health. Digital dental radiographic equipment produces high-quality images of your pet's teeth, allowing us to better treat any dental problems. Our veterinarians and staff are capable of performing a range of dental care procedures for your pet, including routine cleanings, root planing, tooth extractions and some restorative surgery.

Why Dental Care Is Important

Plaque and tartar build-up on your pet's teeth can lead to periodontal disease. The bad news is that periodontal disease is extremely common—more than 80 percent of dogs and cats have periodontal disease by the time they reach four years of age. The good news is that periodontal disease is preventable through frequent dental cleanings and a regular home dental care program.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause bleeding and severe inflammation of the gums, alveolar bone loss (the bone that supports the tooth is eaten away) and gum recession. As the disease progresses, bacteria from the plaque and tartar on the teeth can spread from the mouth into your pet's blood and damage the heart, kidneys and liver. Stopping periodontal disease before it starts is essential.

Signs And Symptoms

Your pet may exhibit some of the following signs and symptoms if he or she has periodontal disease:

• Discomfort while chewing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Inflamed or bleeding gums
• Bad breath

If your pet exhibits these symptoms, please bring him or her in for a dental examination.

Your Pet's Dental Cleaning

You've made an appointment for your pet's dental cleaning—that's great! But what happens next? Prior to every dental cleaning, we perform a thorough physical exam and a series of pre-anesthetic blood tests on your pet. These tests help us develop an anesthetic protocol for your pet. Anesthesia is necessary to keep your pet still and comfortable during the dental cleaning.

During the cleaning, tartar is removed from your pet's teeth using a hand scaler. A periodontal probe is used to check for pockets under the gumline where plaque and tartar often build up. Next, an ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above and below the gumline. A curette is used to clean and smooth the teeth under the gumline. Your pet's teeth are then polished, creating a smooth surface. Finally, an antibacterial solution is used to wash your pet's teeth and gums. This helps delay tartar build-up.

Dental Care At Home

You are an important ally when it comes to your pet's dental health. Brushing your pet's teeth at home is an excellent way to prevent plaque and tartar build-up and stop periodontal disease before it starts. Our staff is more than happy to show you how best to care for your pet's teeth at home. We also provide recommendations for specialty diets, treats and other products that promote good dental health.