Dental Care
Why Is Dental Care Important?
Dental care is as important for pets as it is for people.
Proper dental care is critical in maintaining your pet’s health and happiness. When your pet's teeth aren't clean, bad breath is not the only problem that your cat or dog faces. There are many health issues associated with bad teeth. The build-up of bacteria on your pet's teeth and gums, leads to plaque and eventually dental tartar. This causes bleeding, severe inflammation of the gums, gum recession, and the loss of bone that supports the teeth leading to loose, painful teeth. This progressive condition is known as periodontal disease. If left untreated, the bacteria on the teeth can spread from the mouth and travel through the blood stream to cause damage to the heart, liver and kidneys. Cats can get resorptive lesions in the teeth above and below the gum line; similar to cavities in people. Resorptive lesions are extremely painful and can lead to poor appetite or loss of appetite. Periodontal disease is not only serious, it is also more common than most pet owners realize.
To help prevent periodontal disease it is recommended that your pet’s teeth be examined every 6 – 12 months and that they be professionally cleaned under anesthesia, when necessary.
A professional dental cleaning is the safest and most effective way to remove plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth. In turn, this will reduce the risk of periodontal disease and will help to keep your pet healthy.
Dental care is as important for pets as it is for people.
Proper dental care is critical in maintaining your pet’s health and happiness. When your pet's teeth aren't clean, bad breath is not the only problem that your cat or dog faces. There are many health issues associated with bad teeth. The build-up of bacteria on your pet's teeth and gums, leads to plaque and eventually dental tartar. This causes bleeding, severe inflammation of the gums, gum recession, and the loss of bone that supports the teeth leading to loose, painful teeth. This progressive condition is known as periodontal disease. If left untreated, the bacteria on the teeth can spread from the mouth and travel through the blood stream to cause damage to the heart, liver and kidneys. Cats can get resorptive lesions in the teeth above and below the gum line; similar to cavities in people. Resorptive lesions are extremely painful and can lead to poor appetite or loss of appetite. Periodontal disease is not only serious, it is also more common than most pet owners realize.
To help prevent periodontal disease it is recommended that your pet’s teeth be examined every 6 – 12 months and that they be professionally cleaned under anesthesia, when necessary.
A professional dental cleaning is the safest and most effective way to remove plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth. In turn, this will reduce the risk of periodontal disease and will help to keep your pet healthy.
Severe dental tartar in a dog. Teeth are thoroughly examined at the start of the dentistry.
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Teeth are cleaned using both hand scalers and an ultrasonic scaler (shown here).
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All areas of the teeth are cleaned, including under the gum line.
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Once the tartar is completely removed, the teeth are polished and a fluoride treatment is applied.
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For more information please call us at 613-258-2394 or schedule a dental examination now.
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Home Dental Care
Brushing Brushing is a great way to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy. If done regularly, brushing may slow down the development of dental tartar and reduce the number of dental cleanings your pet will require in its lifetime. Ask us about the various tooth brushes and flavored toothpastes that are available for your pet. |
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Special Food for Reduction of Tartar
There are now a number of foods on the market (found both at the veterinary hospital and at the pet store) which can help to minimize plaque and tartar buildup. These foods can be a part of your pet’s total oral health care maintenance.
We carry dental foods by Hills, Royal Canin and Purina for cats and in both small and regular bite sizes for dogs.
Toys and Products to Reduce Tartar Formation
Some toys often thought to clean the teeth can be harmful. We do not recommend natural bones or rope toys. Natural bones are too hard and often cause broken and chipped teeth. The string from rope toys often gets trapped in between the teeth and gums and can lead to inflammation and infection of the gums. There are a number of safe dental treats that we recommend which when chewed become soft but adequately clean the teeth. In addition, hard rubber toys in which treats can be hidden are also ideal. If you need help choosing a suitable chew toy for your pet, please ask one of our veterinary team members.
There are now a number of foods on the market (found both at the veterinary hospital and at the pet store) which can help to minimize plaque and tartar buildup. These foods can be a part of your pet’s total oral health care maintenance.
We carry dental foods by Hills, Royal Canin and Purina for cats and in both small and regular bite sizes for dogs.
Toys and Products to Reduce Tartar Formation
Some toys often thought to clean the teeth can be harmful. We do not recommend natural bones or rope toys. Natural bones are too hard and often cause broken and chipped teeth. The string from rope toys often gets trapped in between the teeth and gums and can lead to inflammation and infection of the gums. There are a number of safe dental treats that we recommend which when chewed become soft but adequately clean the teeth. In addition, hard rubber toys in which treats can be hidden are also ideal. If you need help choosing a suitable chew toy for your pet, please ask one of our veterinary team members.
Grenville-Dundas Veterinary Clinic, 2643 County Rd. 43, Kemptville ON, K0G 1J0
613-258-2394 [email protected]
613-258-2394 [email protected]