Does your pet have bad breath? Bad breath is not normal. It can be an indication of a bacterial infection of the mouth. Periodontal disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats. By the time they're 4 years old, 85% of dogs and cats show signs of periodontal disease. Infection in the mouth enters the blood stream and can spread to the heart, kidneys, and other major organs and contribute to deterioration of these organs, as well.
As part of your pet's routine check-up, our doctors will examine your pet's mouth and advise you on regular teeth cleanings. Your pet will also receive a "Dental Report Card" from the doctor that shares what was observed during your pet's exam.
With the addition of our new dental x-ray unit, we can now provide a more comprehensive exam of our patients' mouths during periodontal cleanings. In dogs and cats, only 1/3 of the tooth is visible above the gum line. This means that there can be a lot going on with the teeth that we cannot see. With dental x-rays, we now have a way to see pathology that is not able to be seen with the naked eye.
To clean your pet's teeth, we use the same equipment and instruments your dental hygienist uses to clean and polish your teeth, with one exception; to do a thorough job, we need to anesthetize our patients. See more about anesthesia here.
You can maintain your pet's oral health between professional cleanings with regular brushing, anti-bacterial rinses and water additive or dental chews. All of these products are available for purchase here in our clinic. Please call our office if you have any questions about your pet's oral health or to schedule an appointment for an oral examination.