Your Pet's Dental Care

 Your pet's dental health is extremely important! Veterinary dental care is about more than just preventing "doggy breath" - regular dental care can help prevent serious diseases and infections. Routine dental cleanings are a vital part of your pet's preventive health care plan.

Why Dental Care Is Important

Plaque and tartar build-up on your pet's teeth can lead to gingivitis. Reddened, bleeding gums, difficulty chewing and bad breath are all signs of gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can progress to a more advanced form of periodontal disease, a bacterial infection that, if left untreated, can cause the loss of teeth.

The same bacteria causing gingivitis and periodontal disease can be carried into the blood stream and cause damage to your pet's kidneys, heart, liver and other organs. Regular dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar and prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease.

What Happens During A Cleaning

Your pet's dental cleaning is far different than the same procedure you undergo each year at your dentist's office. Because anesthesia is required to keep your pet safe and still during the cleaning, we perform a thorough physical exam and blood tests to ensure that your pet is healthy enough for this procedure. These tests also help us develop an individualized anesthetic protocol that is specific for your pet.

Once anesthesia is administered, the cleaning begins. We use modern and safe ultrasonic equipment to clean each tooth thoroughly, both above and below the gum line. Our specially trained dental technicians polish you pet's teeth, which creates a smooth, lustrous surface that is more resistant to plaque build-up. Finally, a fluoride treatment is used to help strengthen the enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity.

Dental Care At Home

Your pet's dental care doesn't end after he or she leaves the hospital. Our staff can show you how to brush your pet's teeth at home. This is an excellent way to prevent plaque and tartar build-up, promote good oral hygiene and, most of all, bond with your pet.

Please call the hospital if you have any questions about your pet's dental care or if you would like to set up a complete dental examination.