Dental Care

A healthy mouth means a healthier pet. Proper dental care is not just about fresh breath, it is about preventing pain, tooth loss, systemic disease and extending your pet’s life. Dental disease progression: It starts when food mixes with saliva and bacteria and forms plaque. Plaque is a soft sticky film that forms over the teeth. Plaque can be removed with routine home care. If not removed, within a few days plaque reacts with minerals in saliva and forms a hardened substance called calculus. Calculus is like cement on the teeth and cannot be brushed off with home brushing. Calculus traps bacteria and leads to chronic inflammation, infection, bone loss and eventual tooth loss. Even more serious is bacteria from the mouth can enter your pet’s bloodstream and cause damage to vital organs like the heart, kidneys and liver.

Dental disease is the most common medical condition in pets, but it is preventable with routine professional cleanings and consistent at-home care. Not all at-home dental care products (like dental chews and pet toothpaste) are created the same. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is an organization that reviews products and awards the VOHC Seal of Acceptance to products that meet standards for plaque and tartar control (vohc.org). Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by a veterinarian for early signs of problems and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:

• • Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
• • Bad breath
• • Bleeding from the mouth
• • Broken or loose teeth
• • Gum recession and/or gum swelling
• • Pain in or around the mouth
• • Pawing at the face or mouth
• • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• • Swelling of the face
• • Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• • Weight loss

Call us to schedule a dental care appointment.