Dental care is just as important for your pet as it is for you. Regular veterinary visits with dental exams keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy. The bad news is that periodontal disease is extremely common—more than 80 percent of dogs and cats have periodontal disease by the time they reach four years of age. If left untreated, gum problems can cause not only bad breath but also severe infections, leading to periodontal disease, tooth root abscesses and loss of teeth. The infection can also spread in the blood to other organs, causing secondary kidney failure, heart and liver problems. Because of this, dental care is a must!
When it comes to dental care for your pet, prevention is the key. Regular cleanings and home dental care can prevent plaque and tartar build-up on your pet’s teeth and stop periodontal disease before it starts. Greenview Veterinary Hospital can provide your pet with routine dental procedures, including dental cleanings and extractions.
Signs of Dental Disease
As plaque builds up on your pet’s teeth, it hardens into tartar and damages the teeth and gums. This results in the disease known as gingivitis. Signs of gingivitis include bad breath and reddened gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can cause periodontal disease, a serious infection that can damage the teeth and gums and lead to health problems elsewhere in your pet’s body. If your pet is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, he or she may have periodontal disease:
Bad breath
Discomfort while chewing
Inflamed or bleeding gums
Difficulty swallowing
Pawing at the mouth
Dental Cleaning
Your pet’s dental cleaning begins with a physical examination, in order to evaluate your pet’s health and determine the appropriate anesthesia to be used during the procedure. Antibiotics may be prescribed by the veterinarian prior to the procedure depending upon the grade of periodontal disease present. Tartar is removed from your pet’s teeth with a hand scaler; next an ultrasonic scaler is then used to clean above and below the gumline. Your pet’s teeth are then polished and a fluoride treatment is given to help delay tartar build-up. Following the cleaning, we can discuss with you how best to care for your pet’s teeth at home.
Dental Care at Home
Greenview Veterinary Hospital recommends oral care chews as an ally in maintaining your pet’s dental health. As simple as giving a daily treat, great tasting C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews help remove plaque and reduce tartar. The antiseptic chlorhexidine system, combined with the natural abrasive cleansing action of C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews, helps to keep breath fresh and teeth clean. Chlorhexidine is released into the oral cavity during chewing and may be released for up to 24 hours, providing sustained antimicrobial action.
**Please use caution when you are giving your pet any chewable treat. To avoid the possibility of choking; give the appropriate size of chew according to the manufactures recommendation and observe your pet while they are enjoying their dental treat.
