Dental Care

It is becoming more and more important to maintain the health of your pet's teeth and gums to promote longer, healthier lives.

Food and "other things" our pets eat build up on their teeth over time.  This build up leads to calculus (more commonly known as tartar) on their teeth.  Calculus harbors massive amounts of bacteria, which can lead to bad breath, gum disease (such as gingivitis), periodontal disease, and tooth loss.  Bad breath (medically known as halitosis) can affect your relationship with your pet.  How many times have you or someone you know pushed a happily panting dog away due to stinky breath in your face?  Gum disease, periodontal disease, and tooth loss can affect the quality of life for your pet.  Sore gums make it difficult to eat, chew at an itch, or play with toys.  There are many misconceptions regarding tartar build up and your pet's diet.  Eating dry dog food does not remove tartar from the teeth; once tartar is formed a professional cleaning is necessary.

Periodontal disease leading to tooth loss can literally be a life-threatening problem.  Pets develop periodontal disease from large amounts of calculus (which is loaded with bacteria) forming on their teeth.  The bacteria can work its way underneath the gums and into the bone that holds the tooth in place.  The bacteria will cause the bone to degenerate:  it literally rots away.  This causes the tooth to become loose which is painful.  A pet experiencing this pain may be less willing to eat, or may be able to chew only on one side of the mouth, or may not chew at all choosing instead to swallow food whole.  Bacteria can also enter the bloodstream via the blood vessels that supply the teeth.  When this happens the bacteria is taken directly to the hear where it can cause inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart, causing serious heart problems.  Bacteria can also travel to the kidneys where it can cause inflammation that leads to kidney failure.

As serious and frightening as these problems are they are all easily preventable.  A professional dental cleaning involving anesthesia to thoroughly clean the teeth may be required.  We recommend brushing your pet's teeth at home with a soft bristled tooth brush or a soft cloth wrapped around your finger 2-3 times weekly (make sure to use toothpaste made for animals only!).  Please discuss dental care with your veterinarian, it may add years to your pet's life and make him/her a healthier, happier pet!

FEBRUARY IS PET DENTAL MONTH - BRING YOUR PET IN FOR A FREE DENTAL ESTIMATE!

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