Pet Dental Care
Just like us, our pet's need regular dental exams to keep their teeth healthy. Whether you are keeping your pet up to date with dental care or just now learning how important it is to maintain your pet's oral health, our skilled medical team can help you to discuss and execute the best plan of care. For any dental procedure, you will want to create an appointment for the veterinarian to take a good look into your pet's mouth!
Dental Care Services We Offer
Non-Anesthetic Teeth Brushing (Grooming Service)
For maintenance, our grooming team offers teeth brushing to keep your pet's breath smelling nice and clean. Having your pet's teeth brushed regularly is a smart and simple way to keep your pet's mouth healthy between dental cleanings.
Dental Exams
A licensed veterinarian will conduct an exam of your pet's teeth to determine their condition, and discuss any necessary treatment options. Your pet should come in for a dental examination at least once a year. Pets who are more prone to dental issues than others may need to see us more often.
Your pet may have pre anesthetic blood work, or other diagnostics needed to make sure that a dental cleaning is appropriate for their plan.
Anesthetic Dental Scaling and Polishing
Similar to a human medical dental cleaning, our experienced medical staff offers dental scaling and polishing. During this procedure, your pet is placed under anesthesia. A surgical technician scales the teeth to remove any plaque and tartar build up, and then proceeds to polish your pets teeth. The final step is to apply an oral sealant to help prevent plaque from attaching to your pet's enamel. This procedure leaves your pet with clean teeth, fresh breath, and allows for them to keep their mouth healthy.
Dental Extractions
Diseased teeth can cause serious health issues, and may need to be completely removed for your pet to have the best medical outcome. Our doctors can extract diseased teeth that are causing your pet oral illness and discomfort. If you suspect your pet will need one or more teeth extracted, book your pet an exam. If advanced gum disease is found, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
Dental Radiographs (XRAYS)
Dental radiographs (XRAYS) in animals are almost the same as in humans. Our dental radiograph machines use a small amount of radiation to see the teeth in the area below the gum line that cannot be seen with a regular oral exam, allowing the veterinarian to assess the health of the tooth root. Imaging will always be taken under general anesthesia. Teeth that appear healthy on the surface level can have underlying issues, so dental radiographs are a valuable tool for your veterinarian when doing a complete assessment for oral health.
Should pet parents be concerned about radiation levels?
No, a very small and short duration of radiation is used for dental radiographs. There are no reported risks with this level of radiation. If you have any concerns about this, please discuss with your veterinarian during your dental consultation.
Gingival Flap
A gingival flap is a surgical procedure we use when preforming dental extractions. During this method the veterinarian creates a pocket with the gum tissue to create a window, which allows for the extraction of the tooth. After extraction, the tissue is replaced into its original position and then sutured closed. Some of the benefits of this process includes less time under anesthesia, decrease in tissue trauma, and reducing the risk of complication during extraction.
Mandibular Fracture Repair
Mandibular (Jaw) fractures can happen due to force trauma, among some other causes. We can repair these fractures surgically, and a surgical consult is always needed to determine the best course of action for your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my pet need anesthesia?
Unlike us, animals do not understand what is going on during their dental cleaning procedures, and can often react to dental treatments with a lot of anxiety. Some pets may even try to scratch or bite. Much like dental sedation used for nervous patients at a dentist's office, our veterinary professionals always provide anesthesia to our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the pet and allows us to x-ray their mouth as needed.
Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our animals can develop periodontal disease (gum disease) or tooth decay as a result of bad oral health. Just like in people, when animals eat, plaque can stick onto their teeth and builds up into tartar. This can lead to oral infections, periodontal disease, tooth decay, damaged teeth and even loose or missing teeth. Regular dental cleaning is essential to preventing painful disease in your pet's mouth.
How can I tell if my pet is having dental issues?
Pay close attention to your pet, if you notice any of the following it may be time for a dental exam: Tartar and plaque build up, loose or broken teeth, bleeding, bad breath, pain, swelling, difficulty eating or drinking, drooling, or pawing at the mouth.
What can I do to keep my pet's mouth healthy at home?
At home, you should brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis and give them dental chew toys. These will help eliminate plaque build-up. Avoid letting your pet chew on things that can damage their teeth, such as bones, toys or other household items that are too hard.
