Dental care plays an important role in your pet’s overall health, so we make your pet’s teeth and gums our priority. By the time your pet is 3-years old, they could have some form of periodontal (gum/dental) disease. Routine dental exams and at-home care can help your pet prevent these painful and costly complications. To book an appointment, call us at 905-690-0040.
What is periodontal disease?
When plaque isn’t regularly removed from your pet’s teeth, it changes into hardened tartar, which can’t be brushed away. Eventually, if these layers of bacteria-laden tartar aren’t removed by professional veterinary cleaning, your pet can develop gum inflammation (gingivitis), which can progress into advanced periodontal disease. Besides gum recession, infection, and tooth loss, periodontal disease can cause serious changes in the heart, kidneys, and liver. Some signs of dental issues include bad breath, brown or yellow teeth, swollen gums, and difficulty chewing.
What happens when my pet misses their cleanings?
When pets don’t receive regular dental care, they may need more than just a cleaning. Dental extractions could be required to remove infected teeth and make a pet’s mouth healthy again. By scheduling regular dental exams, we can use dental radiographs (X-rays) to get a true picture below their gum line since we can only assess around 40% of your pet’s teeth by just looking at them. On the morning of their procedure, we perform pre-anesthetic bloodwork and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to ensure they’re healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. During a dental cleaning, our team will remove built-up plaque and tartar, then polish your pet’s teeth to smooth the surface of the teeth, which can help slow the future buildup of tartar.
How else can I keep my pet’s mouth healthy?
Pet parents play an essential role in their pet’s dental health. Brushing your pet’s teeth is one of the most important ways you can help keep periodontal disease at bay. Remember to only use dental products specially formulated for pets. Since not all dental products are created equal, look for products with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance or ask us what products we recommend. Although daily brushing is ideal, we understand it is not always possible. Fortunately, you have a number of dental products to choose from that can also help control plaque and tartar buildup:
- Special dental diets and enzymatic chews
- Dental toys
- Oral rinses and sprays
- Drinking water additives
