Dental disease is one of the most preventable illnesses that are seen in cats and dogs. Before your pet develops this disease there are different ways you can provide dental care including regularly brushing their teeth and annual dental cleanings performed by a professional. Brushing their teeth regularly removes plaque, but also prevents gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth loss.
What are symptoms of dental disease?
Your feline or canine friend can develop gingivitis, tartar, periodontitis (irreversible) and tooth fractures. Dental disease can include all those conditions and these are the signs usually associated with them:
- Brown or yellow buildup on teeth
- Swollen, red or bleeding gums
- Abnormal chewing
- Pawing at the face, head, or mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Decrease in appetite
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth or tooth loss
Be sure to contact our team if you have spotted any of these signs in your pet. The sooner their symptoms are treated, the better the outcome. Please call 780-428-8802.
How are dental issues treated in cats and dogs?
This depends on whether or not the patient's dental disease is severe. The veterinarian will examine their mouth and run additional tests if necessary to determine a suitable treatment. They may recommend oral medications, toothbrushing at home, dental cleaning, or even oral surgery which we provide at our clinic.
What happens during my pet's dental cleaning/procedure?
Before we begin the veterinarian will discuss the procedure with the pet owner just to ensure you are well-informed. Your pet companion is prepped for the procedure by checking their vitals, weight and running a blood test. Once they are cleared for anesthesia/surgery the procedure will begin. As the anesthesia takes effect, your pet falls asleep and is then hooked up to several different monitoring devices that consistently monitor their health, such as their heart rate, blood pressure, oxygenation levels, and respiration. A registered veterinary technician (RVT) will also perform manual checks of their vital signs. We begin by taking full mouth dental X-rays and performing any dental blocks needed if there are any extractions. While the dental blocks set in, an RVT will begin probing, scaling, and polishing every tooth in your pet's mouth, inside & out! Once scaling & polishing is complete, if extractions are needed, the veterinarian will step in and perform this final part of the procedure. After your pet is awake and has recovered, their assigned RVT will give you a call to let you know how everything went, and to give you a pick-up time!
How can I keep my pet's mouth clean?
Daily brushing should be just as important for your loyal companion. It is not as easy as it sounds because some cats or dogs hate it. Before you attempt to brush their teeth alone at home, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration or some tips. They can recommend cat/dog-safe toothpaste that is tasty for your pet. Another important tool is pet-safe toothbrushes, anything else can be too hard and damage their gums and teeth. When brushing their teeth, carefully clean a few teeth at a time. You can also use dental treats to scrape off plaque on the days that you're not able to brush their teeth.