Dentistry

Dental Care is Important to Your Pet’s Health!

Periodontal disease is the number one diagnosed disease in dogs and cats. Dental care is very important, especially for our older dogs and cats, and proper dental care provided by Mountain Empire Small Animal Hospital can increase the lifespan of your pet. During your pet’s annual exam, we will give your pet a visual oral exam, and we may recommend a preventative dental care procedure. Early detection and regular professional dental treatments will help aid in the prevention of gum disease, tooth loss, bone loss and other health issues for your pet, some serious, related to dental disease.

Preventative Dental Care

We use modern and safe ultrasonic cleaning to care for your pet’s teeth both above and below the gum line. Our preventative dental care procedure includes complete ultrasonic scaling, root planing and tooth polishing. We place your pet under anesthesia and perform a comprehensive oral examination, examining each tooth for mobility, fractures, malocclusion and periodontal disease. We remove plaque and tartar using hand instruments and power scaling equipment. We give your pet’s teeth a thorough ultrasonic cleaning and polishing.

Advanced Dental Care

During your pet’s preventative dental care, our veterinarian might identify certain teeth or areas in your dog or cat’s mouth that need additional dental treatment. Our goal in providing these dental services is to keep your pet’s mouth healthy and pain-free for years to come. Tooth extraction or oral surgery may be necessary, and our veterinarian will call you to discuss any advanced dental care your pet may need.

At-Home Dental Care

Dental care does not end with a visit to us. At home, daily brushing of your pet’s teeth will reduce or eliminate plaque buildup. Plaque, which is an accumulation of bacteria, will progress to periodontitis, characterized by pockets of chronic infection, oral pain, and severe infections. Left untreated, it will eventually loosen and destroy the tooth and possibly lead to bone loss. The infection under the gum line can also spread to the liver, kidneys and heart. One of our staff members will show you how to brush your pet’s teeth at home and recommend dental products to keep your dog or cat’s teeth, mouth and gums healthy.

Signs Of Oral And Dental Diseases In Dogs And Cats:

It is important to have your dog or cat checked regularly for dental disease. If your pet is exhibiting any of these signs, please give us a call and schedule a dental exam:

• Bad breath
• Loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• Your pet shies away from you when you touch the mouth area
• Drooling or dropping food from the mouth.
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Loss of appetite