Did you know that…

  • Periodontal disease affects 80% of dogs and cats by 3 years of age, making it the most common health condition in pets?
  • One milligram of dental plaque harbors more than one trillion potentially disease-causing bacteria?
  • Routine dental care is one of the best ways to add years to your pet’s life?

Signs of Dental Disease
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Visible tartar accumulation
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Sensitivity around the mouth
  • Appetite loss
  • Bleeding or inflamed gums
  • Loose or missing teeth
  • Difficulty chewing food
Many pet owners assume that their pet does not have dental disease because they empty their food bowl every day. Keep in mind that eating is instinctual for pets, and they often will not stop until their pain becomes unbearable. Many pets simply swallow their food whole, without chewing, to avoid discomfort. Routine dental evaluations are the best way to know whether your pet has painful dental disease. If your pet is showing dental disease signs, schedule a dental evaluation immediately.  Periodontal Disease Dental disease starts with normal bacteria that live in your pet’s mouth. Oral bacteria continuously deposit a soft film (i.e., plaque) on your pet’s teeth that hardens into tartar if it is not brushed off. As bacteria-filled tartar accumulates on your pet’s teeth, the gums become inflamed and recede. Even worse, bacteria and tartar advance below the gum line and damage the periodontal ligament that attaches each tooth to its bony socket. At this point, your pet’s mouth becomes a dangerous source of infection, as bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to other body systems. Organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys can be affected, which can significantly shorten your pet’s life span. Advanced dental disease causes significant pain and tooth loss.  Periodontal disease is progressive. While you may not notice early signs in your pet, later signs are typically obvious, and may include: Many pet owners assume that their pet does not have dental disease because they empty their food bowl every day. Keep in mind that eating is instinctual for pets, and they often will not stop until their pain becomes unbearable. Many pets simply swallow their food whole, without chewing, to avoid discomfort. Routine dental evaluations are the best way to know whether your pet has painful dental disease. If your pet is showing dental disease signs, schedule a dental evaluation immediately. 
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Visible tartar accumulation
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Sensitivity around the mouth
  • Appetite loss
  • Bleeding or inflamed gums
  • Loose or missing teeth
  • Difficulty chewing food
Many pet owners assume that their pet does not have dental disease because they empty their food bowl every day. Keep in mind that eating is instinctual for pets, and they often will not stop until their pain becomes unbearable. Many pets simply swallow their food whole, without chewing, to avoid discomfort. Routine dental evaluations are the best way to know whether your pet has painful dental disease. If your pet is showing dental disease signs, schedule a dental evaluation immediately. 

Professional Dental Cleanings

Fortunately, periodontal disease is preventable, and reversible in its early stages, through routine dental care. By combining daily toothbrushing with regular dental cleanings, it is possible to keep dental disease at bay.

When our veterinarians evaluate your pet’s dental health during their annual wellness visit, they may recommend a professional dental cleaning. This process is similar to the cleaning you receive when you visit the dentist. After placing your pet under anesthesia each tooth will be cleaned and polished using our state-of-the-art ultrasonic dental unit. If diseased teeth are identified, our veterinarians will make recommendations about treatment. In some cases, we will recommend extraction of teeth that cannot be saved, and may be causing pain for your pet. Digital dental X-rays may be taken of their complete mouth. Since 60% of each tooth is located below the gumline, along with the majority of periodontal-related problems, dental X-rays are a critical part of each dental procedure.

Using our state-of-the-art ultrasonic dental unit, each tooth will be cleaned and polished. If diseased teeth are identified, our veterinarians will make recommendations about treatment. In some cases, we will recommend extraction of teeth that cannot be saved, and may be causing pain for your pet.

After your pet’s teeth are clean, we recommend daily toothbrushing to ward off future plaque and tartar accumulation. It is best to start brushing your pet’s teeth when they are young, to acclimate them to the process early. However, it is never too late to start. Our team will be happy to demonstrate how to brush your pet’s teeth.