When was the last time you opened your pet’s mouth and looked inside? Did you have to hold your nose–oh my! Can you image how bad your teeth would feel if you did not have regular dental cleanings?
Dogs and cats need dental care, too! Just like humans, tartar and bacteria accumulate under your pet’s the gum line, which results in gum disease, bone loss, tooth loss and other issues.
Many pet owners underestimate the impact of dental health on their pets’ overall wellness. Dental problems in pets can lead to pain, discomfort, and even systemic health issues. Poor oral hygiene can contribute to conditions such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, and bad breath, all of which can affect a pet’s quality of life.
Common Dental Issues in Pets:
Periodontal Disease: This is one of the most common dental problems in pets. It involves inflammation and infection of the gums and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
Plaque and Tartar Buildup: Like humans, pets can develop plaque and tartar on their teeth, which can contribute to various dental problems.
Tooth Decay: Pets can experience cavities and tooth decay, especially if their diet includes sugary treats or if their dental care is neglected.
Dental Abscesses: A tooth root abscess is a severe infection that develops around the root of a tooth. A tooth root abscess forms when bacteria enter the exposed root canal of the tooth.
Oral Tumors: An oral tumor is an abnormal growth and unregulated replication of cells that occur within the mouth. A dog’s mouth, similar to our own, is made up of several different cell types; for example, epithelial (or skin) cells, bone cells, fibrous cells, and others. Some tumors may grow slowly and do not typically spread (benign tumors) whereas others are aggressive and spread elsewhere (malignant tumors).
Cracked or Mobile Teeth: Fractured teeth are a common occurrence in dogs and can result from external trauma (e.g., accident) or from chewing on hard objects such as antlers, bones, or other hard, non-bending chew toys.
Feline Tooth Resorption: Tooth resorption is a process where dental structures are resorbed or removed and degraded by a cat’s body. Tooth resorption causes the tooth to breakdown and exposes dental nerves, causing oral pain in your cat. Any cat can develop tooth resorption at they age, and they may or not have pain with tooth resorption.
Feline Stomatitis: Stomatitis is an abnormal hyperimmune response to bacterial plaque inside the cat’s mouth. The severe inflammation extends above the gum tissue involving the mucosa of the cheeks and in some cats involves the tissue of the back of the mouth and throat.
Why Should Your Dog or Cat Have Professional Teeth Cleanings?
- To diagnose, treat and prevent dental disease
- Avoiding tooth loss
- Eliminate oral pain and discomfort.
- Avoiding systemic health issues related to poor oral health
- Improved nutrition
- Better quality of life
Professional Dental Care at Spring Branch Veterinary Hospital
With your pet under general anesthesia, we take full-mouth dental x-rays, examine your pet’s mouth and probe your pet’s teeth and gums for evidence of periodontal disease and other oral diseases.
Once we have examined your pet’s mouth and taken the x-rays, we then provide treatment for any diseases and clean and polish your pet’s teeth. Dental tartar and calculus is firmly adhered to the surface of the teeth, so we use ultrasonic power scalers along with hand instruments to to remove tartar and calculus from your pet’s teeth. The most critical part of a dental scaling procedure is scaling the tooth surfaces under the gum line that are within the gingival pocket (the subgingival space between the gum and the root), where periodontal disease is active.
While your pet is under general anesthesia, we maintain your pet on inhalant anesthesia with a cuffed endotracheal tube in place to protect your pet’s airway and lungs. This allows us to effectively prevent your pet from inhaling pieces of tartar removed from the teeth, or water from the ultrasonic scaler. Your pet is fully monitored while under general anesthesia during his or her dental procedure at Spring Branch Veterinary Hospital.
Recognizing the warning signs pet dental disease in your pet is the first step to a healthier pet
Yes, you must lift your pet’s lips to see your pet’s teeth and gums and look inside your pet’s mouth. If your pet has bad breath, that is an indication your pet has dental disease and needs dental care. If you see any redness or discoloration present on the teeth or gums, that is a sign your pet needs dental care. Normal teeth have uniform white color and the gums have light pink color throughout, that is an indication of dental disease. If you touch the teeth and they move, or if the gums bleed that is an indication of periodontal disease.
Signs of dental problems include:
- Bad breath
- Facial swelling
- Red swollen gums or any bleeding from the mouth
- Loose or broken teeth
- Changes in eating habits or behavior or a reluctance to eat
- Drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Refusal to play with toys
- Sneezing, nasal discharge, or excessive salivation
Dog and Cat Dentist in Spring Branch Texas
The veterinarians at Spring Branch Veterinary Hospital are here to help you keep your pet’s mouth healthy and pain free. Please contact Spring Branch Veterinary Hospital to schedule your pet’s dental check up today!
February is Dental Month and we are offering a 10% Discount on Pet Dental Care During February at Spring Branch Veterinary Hospital, Dog and Cat Dentist in Spring Branch TX
Expires February 29, 2024
