Expert Dental Care for Your Pet
Poor dental health can lead to bigger health issues for your dog or cat. Take charge of your pet’s oral hygiene with the help of Pet Wellness Group.
Dental Examinations
Just as a person’s overall health is affected by their oral hygiene, so is an animal’s. To keep your pet happy and healthy, make sure you schedule dental examinations at least once a year. This way, you can take advantage of regular cleanings and help your pet avoid the discomfort of poor dental health.
When an animal suffers from poor oral hygiene, the results can range from bad to worse. You may begin to notice these issues over time:
- Foul breath
- Plaque build up
- Sore and/or bloody gums
- Tooth decay
- Tooth loss
- Loss of appetite
To avoid these types of problems, bring your pet in yearly. At your pet’s dental examination, we will assess its teeth, gums, and jaw. If there are problems, he can advise you on how to best handle them. Furthermore, the team at Pet Wellness Group can help you create an at-home care plan so you can prevent dental issues from home. Get in touch to schedule an examination today.
Digital Dental Radiology
X-ray machines use small amounts of radiation to create an image of the hard structures of the mouth. In pets, we use this technology to see through tissue and gain a better idea of what’s happening inside the animal’s teeth and underneath its gums.
A lot of animals hide their pain as an innate defense mechanism. In other words, your pet could have dental pain and disease without letting you know. At Pet Wellness Group, we use X-ray technology to identify and treat these hidden issues.
Usually, we recommend that pet owners schedule an appointment for dental radiography once a year. If, however, your pet is experiencing any worrisome symptoms – like infected gums, broken teeth, or consistently bad breath – we recommend that you come in sooner.
Although the procedure is perfectly safe, your pet will need anesthesia to ensure that he remains still. Please call our office if you have any questions about anesthesia or our X-ray services.
Dental Cleanings
Is it time for a teeth cleaning for my pet?
Do you see any of the following:
- Visible scaling and tartar on the teeth?
- Bloody gums?
- Bad breath?
- Change in appetite?
- Pain when eating?
If you answered yes to any of the above there is a good chance your pet needs a professional dental cleaning. Dentals are very important not only for your pet’s oral health, but also to prevent other diseases such as heart and kidney disease.
An evaluation of your pet’s oral health is part of our annual wellness examination. We recommend at home oral care from early on in your pet’s life. Even with at home care, we find most pets require annual cleanings over age four, however, this may vary based on the unique needs of your pet.
During a dental cleaning your pet will be under general anesthesia, using the same anesthesia and monitoring as our surgeries. This will allow our team to take dental x-rays, thoroughly scale off all tartar, polish the teeth, apply a fluoride treatment, and also apply a dental sealant to reduce tartar build up in the future. Our doctors are well trained in oral surgery if it becomes necessary. At the end of each procedure you will receive a before and after report as well as take home recommendations to promote improved oral health.
At-Home Dental Care
Periodontal disease is caused by plaque – a common but harmful film of bacteria that coats the teeth. Fortunately, plaque can be greatly reduced with proper and frequent brushing. Follow these tips to create an at-home dental care plan and help your pet avoid unnecessary disease:
- Buy quality supplies like brushes and toothpaste that are designed with your pet’s species and breed in mind. Remember that human toothpaste is often toxic to animals.
- Brush your pet’s teeth in a calm and brightly-lit area. This way, you can help your animal stay focused.
- Reward your pet with praise and treats each time you brush. This will help him become more comfortable with the experience as you both build healthy habits.
The team at Pet Wellness Group wants to work with you to create an at-home dental care routine. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
