Dental care is a very important part of your pet’s overall health. Tartar, plaque build-up and gingivitis along with broken teeth can lead to infections in your pet’s mouth and body, cause chronic inflammation, stress your pet’s immune system and leave him or her in a lot of pain. Unfortunately, periodontal disease in pets often goes undiagnosed until it is too late. And it is also the most common reason for urgent veterinarian visits.
Much of this is preventable. Taking care of a pet’s teeth is no different from how we take care of ours. You can keep infections at bay with in-home oral care and hygiene, supported by regular examinations and professional cleanings by a veterinarian. We recommend you bring your pet in for this purpose at least once a year.
Pet Dental Care Appointment
Unlike humans, pets cannot clearly communicate where and when they experience pain. To conduct a thorough investigation of what is going on in the mouth, dental checkups almost always require us to put your pet under general anesthetic. Once your pet is asleep, we chart every tooth and examine it for pockets, lesions and signs of disease. A radiograph (X-ray) of the oral cavity, along with the physical examination, will allow us to come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Your pet will feel no pain during the procedure, which remains completely safe. And we deploy extra protocols to ensure their comfort and well-being while under anesthetic.
Most healthy pets will require straightforward dental scaling and cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup on the crown’s surface. However, we will also examine for build-up under the gum surface and remove it because this is where disease typically begins to manifest. The procedure takes 45 – 75 minutes and depends on how much plaque build-up we find.
If your pet presents with advanced tooth decay, we may recommend a tooth extraction, but only when necessary. Rotting teeth can infect others in the mouth with devastating consequences. In advanced stages, the infection can spread to other organs and cause heart disease. Removing the culprit(s), and source of the infection is often the beginning of an effective treatment plan. Dental extractions can last 1 – 2.5 hours.
Your pet will come out from under the anesthesia, feeling well-rested, approximately 10 minutes after the procedure is over. They will greet you happily and be ready to come home with a clean mouth that is healthy and disease-free.
In-Home Pet Dental Care
Implementing daily oral hygiene for your pet can greatly enhance your pet’s health and help you avoid the invasive and costly interventions that can ensue in a diseased mouth. Not only will connecting with your pet on this level allow you to have fun and bond, but it also permits you to catch problems before they become serious. The blogs below will help you get started with in-home oral care routines for your pet. You will also find common signs and symptoms of periodontal disease that you should look out for.
About Wellington Veterinary Hospital
Wellington Veterinary Hospital is operated by Dr. Cliff Redford, a veterinarian with over two decades of experience. Our caring and passionate team of professionals provides a full range of services for your canine and feline companions. We are always delighted to meet new pets, answer your questions and offer preventative health care tips during free assessments with our veterinary technicians. Our location in Markham, Ontario offers plenty of free parking, convenient operating hours and a 24-hour emergency call line.