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Health Tips - Dental Care |
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Why Is It Important to Have Routine Teeth Cleanings?
Dental disease can release bacteria into the bloodstream causing infections elsewhere in the body. Regular cleanings can also prevent tooth disease and early tooth loss. Since it is difficult to do a thorough oral exam on some pets without general anaesthesia, this can be done during the dental cleaning procedurere. This includes the screenings for oral cancer, broken teeth, and cavities. A professional teeth cleaning will remove plaque, stains, and tartar above and below the gum line.
How Can I Tell if My Dog or Cat Has Dental Disease?
If your pet will allow you to peek in it's mouth, you can look for some warning signs of dental disease such as: bad breath, red, swollen gums, and a yellow or brown crust of tartar around the gums. A thorough examination by your veterinarian is recommended on a regular basis, and especially if you notice any of the signs above.
What Does a Dental Cleaning Involve?
If your pet has significant dental disease, or may need extractions, general anesthesia will be necessary. For less severe cases, we can help your deterimine if your pet is a candidate for anesthesia-free dentistry. Durning the procedure, your pet's teeth will be cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler and polished with a power unit. A thorough evaluation of the teeth will determine if any of them needed to be extracted. Dental x-rays will be taken if necessary. The veterinarian will examine the entire oral cavity to look for abnormalities such as tumors or deep infections of the gum or jawbone. After cleaning, your pet may need to take oral antibiotics and eat a softer diet for a few days, particularly if there was extensive infection or if any teeth were extracted. We will provide you with full instructions on the dismissal of your pet.
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At Home Dental Care
Introduce a brushing program to pets gradually. Avoid forceful restraint and keep brushing sessions quick and positive. Start by brushing small sections of the mouth, and allowing breaks for your pet. A cat or small dog can be held in your lap. Praise and reassure your pet throughout the process.
For the first few sessions, don't use a toothbrush, just gently stroke the inside of the cheek with your finger. After they become used to it, add some flavored toothpaste to your finger so they can get used to the taste. You can then progress to gently rubbing the gums (Be careful not to get bit!).
You can then introduce a soft toothbrush designed for pets, or you can use a sensitive or ultra soft toothbrush designed for people. Special toothpastes with flavoring are available from your veterinarian or specialty store. Don’t use toothpaste designed for people because it can upset the animals stomach.
Find something your pet likes to chew such as rope toys, natural dried treats, or fresh raw bones. This will help keep teeth clean between brushings.
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