A Keystone of Health
Dental care for dogs and cats.
The Basics
Gum disease is one of the most common conditions afflicting today’s pets, and it is completely preventable. With proper dental care involving daily brushings and routine cleanings, plaque and tartar will not be able to wreak havoc on your pet’s mouth. Gum disease occurs as a result of calculus spreading below the gum line and infecting the surrounding bone and tissue. This condition can cause severe discomfort for your pet, and, if left untreated, can lead to disease of the heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys. Symptoms that may indicate gum disease include:
- Bad breath
- Loose or broken teeth
- Brown or yellow teeth
- Excessive salivation
- Difficulty chewing and eating
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Pawing at the face and mouth
- Facial swelling
The Basics
Gum disease is one of the most common conditions afflicting today’s pets, and it is completely preventable. With proper dental care involving daily brushings and routine cleanings, plaque and tartar will not be able to wreak havoc on your pet’s mouth. Gum disease occurs as a result of calculus spreading below the gum line and infecting the surrounding bone and tissue. This condition can cause severe discomfort for your pet, and, if left untreated, can lead to disease of the heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys. Symptoms that may indicate gum disease include:
- Bad breath
- Loose or broken teeth
- Brown or yellow teeth
- Excessive salivation
- Difficulty chewing and eating
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Pawing at the face and mouth
- Facial swelling
The Road Ahead
When we see your pet for their annual wellness visit, we will take time to check their mouths and determine whether a dental cleaning will be necessary. Dental prophylaxis (or prophy) is the act of cleaning your pet’s teeth using an ultrasonic scaling instrument. The tip of the scaler vibrates at ultrasonic speeds to break down hard calculus, and is kept cool with a jet of water. We can also perform tooth extractions if necessary; decaying roots and broken teeth can be very painful for your pet and lead to further health risks.
Before any dental procedure, we need to examine your pet fully and run diagnostics to ensure that anesthesia will be safe for them. All dental cleanings must be performed under anesthesia, so that we can safely remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line, where many dental problems occur.
If you have questions about brushing your pet’s teeth or would like to schedule a dental exam for your pet, please give us a call (518) 664-2122.
The Road Ahead
When we see your pet for their annual wellness visit, we will take time to check their mouths and determine whether a dental cleaning will be necessary. Dental prophylaxis (or prophy) is the act of cleaning your pet’s teeth using an ultrasonic scaling instrument. The tip of the scaler vibrates at ultrasonic speeds to break down hard calculus, and is kept cool with a jet of water. We can also perform tooth extractions if necessary; decaying roots and broken teeth can be very painful for your pet and lead to further health risks.
Before any dental procedure, we need to examine your pet fully and run diagnostics to ensure that anesthesia will be safe for them. All dental cleanings must be performed under anesthesia, so that we can safely remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line, where many dental problems occur.
If you have questions about brushing your pet’s teeth or would like to schedule a dental exam for your pet, please condense to (518) 664 – 2122.
