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Our hospitals offer dental care for both cats and dogs
Dental care may not be the first thing we think about when it comes to our pet’s health, but cats and dogs can benefit from regular teeth cleanings as much as we can. Just like us, our pets need to practice proper dental hygiene—otherwise, they can suffer from plaque and tartar buildup, as well as more serious oral health issues or dental disease like gingivitis, stomatitis, and tooth resorption.
Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Dental care may not be the first thing we think about when it comes to our pet’s health, but cats and dogs can benefit from regular teeth cleanings as much as we can. Just like us, our pets need to practice proper dental hygiene—otherwise, they can suffer from plaque and tartar buildup, as well as more serious oral health issues or dental disease like gingivitis, stomatitis, and tooth resorption. Periodontal diseases can be extremely painful and even life-threatening if left untreated. Sadly, due to a lack of awareness about the importance of cat and dog dental care, periodontal disease affects 70% of cats and almost 90% of dogs aged three or older in the US. Much of this could be prevented by a simple regular pet dental checkups. When managing your pet’s overall health, regular dental care is a crucial part of any comprehensive veterinary services plan.
FAQs
Book an AppointmentPeriodontal diseases can be extremely painful and even life-threatening if left untreated. Sadly, due to a lack of awareness about the importance of cat and dog dental care, periodontal disease affects 70% of cats and almost 90% of dogs aged three or older in the US. Much of this could be prevented by a simple regular pet dental check-ups. When managing your pet’s overall health, regular dental care is a crucial part of any comprehensive veterinary services plan.
There’s one key indicator of potential poor oral health in pets that’s hard to miss (or ignore): bad breath. Halitosis can stem from bacterial buildup and is an early sign of the onset of periodontal disease. If your pet’s bad breath is making snuggle time less than fine, it might be time to call your trusted dog or cat veterinarian. Other more advanced symptoms to watch for are excessive drooling, facial swelling, discolored teeth, or bleeding or swollen gums. Watch for behavioral changes too. If your pet drops food while eating or shows a diminished appetite, or if they’re vocalizing more than usual, they may be asking for help. Pawing at the face, excessive yawning, teeth-grinding, or a decrease in grooming activities may all also be signs that it’s time for immediate dental care.
For a cat or dog, pet dental care usually involves an examination by the veterinary technician, who will identify any periodontal health issues that need to be addressed. Prior to cleaning the teeth, the team will take full mouth x-rays to look for any issues happening below the gum line. Think of an iceberg where we only have a partial view of the entire tooth with the naked eye.
The veterinary technician will then carefully clean your pet’s teeth, removing tartar and other debris that could lead to oral health problems down the line. If your vet identifies a more serious oral health issue that must be addressed, they’ll discuss treatment options with you. This is usually the extent of a standard dog or cat teeth cleaning.
The dos and don’ts of dog and cat dental cleaning at home can be surprisingly simple.
Do: regular teeth brushing and give them dental chew toys designed to help eliminate plaque.
Don’t: let them chew on things that can damage their teeth, such as hard objects regularly. Keep an eye out for changes in eating habits or other unusual behaviors that may indicate a problem is developing. Follow these basic rules, and your pet should receive a gold star come check-up time.
Plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to periodontitis and gingivitis, are major dental issues that afflict cats and dogs when unchecked. Tooth resorption, a process by which a tooth decays from the inside, and which particularly afflicts cats, can lead to the loss of teeth. Ultimately, pet dental issues are as serious as any other health problem that affects your pet’s well-being and should be treated with the same level of attention with professional teeth cleaning and a routine dental exam.