Preparing For Pet Dental Month

Dog receiving a dental exam

10 Reasons Why You Should Schedule a Dental Exam for Your Pet During Pet Dental Month

Pet dental month, held every February, highlights the importance of dental care for our furry friends. Tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health conditions don't just affect people, they may also be an issue for pets. Fortunately, regular checkups can help prevent these problems and also provide important benefits for your pet's oral and general health. Check out a few reasons why a pet dental exam should be on your calendar this year.

1. Cavities Aren't Always Obvious

Your dog's teeth may look fine, despite decay lurking just under the surface. (Luckily, cats rarely get cavities.) Brown or black spots or holes usually appear only when tooth decay is fairly widespread. By the time you notice a cavity, it may be too late to save the tooth. Yearly dental examinations help your veterinarian diagnose and treat cavities when they're still small.

2. Gum Disease Is a Common Problem for Pets

The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that many pets have evidence of periodontal (gum) disease by the time they're 3 years old. Symptoms of gum disease include redness, swelling, drooling, dropping food, bleeding, and bumps on the gums. As the disease worsens, pets may chew on one side of the mouth or even avoid food. If untreated, the painful disease can cause teeth to fall out and may even result in fractures in your pet's jaw.

3. Your Pet May Be Suffering in Silence

In the wild, predators target other animals that are weak or hurt. Despite the fact that your pet has a comfortable life in your home, natural instincts drive him or her to conceal pain or illness.

Even though your pet displays no symptoms, he or she may be in constant pain due to a dental issue. Unfortunately, if your cat, dog, rabbit or other small animal doesn't receive a dental exam, you may never know that your friend is suffering.

4. Dental Exams Can Reveal Unexpected Problems

Tooth decay and gum disease aren't only oral health issues that affect pets. Gnawing on hard objects can damage teeth, causing small cracks that aren't obvious. Painful abscesses can form deep inside your pet's gums, teeth or jaws. In addition to causing considerable pain, abscesses can damage bones and ligaments and trigger or worsen other health problems.

5. Small Problems Are Easier to Treat Than Big Ones

Whether your pet has tooth decay, gum disease, an abscess, or another condition, prompt treatment is the key to resolving dental issues. Yearly dental examinations detect dental conditions when they're still fairly minor and less complicated to treat.

6. Regular Exams Allow Your Veterinarian to Spot Specific Issues Related to Type or Breed

Your pet's breed or type may increase the risk of developing certain dental conditions. For example, tooth resorption is a common dental condition in cats. The condition causes tooth loss and affects 20 to 60 percent of cats, according to Cornell Feline Health Center.

Rabbits need regular dental examinations to ensure that they're not experiencing tooth overgrowth, while dog breeds that tend to have crowded teeth may need more frequent dental cleanings.

7. Teeth Cleaning Protects Your Pet's Oral Health

Cleaning your pet's teeth and gums removes plaque and tartar, two substances that play a role in decay and gum disease. During a dental cleaning, your pet's veterinarian removes plaque and tartar deposits above and below the gum line.

8. Breath Odor Improves After a Cleaning

Do you avoid close contact with your pet because of his or her breath? The odor may be due to the bacteria present in plaque and tartar. After a dental cleaning, you'll notice a dramatic improvement in your pet's breath.

9. Dental Care Helps Your Pet Stay Healthy

Gum disease and abscesses can increase your pet's likelihood of developing diabetes or heart, liver or kidney disease. The risk rises when bacteria enter your pet's bloodstream and travels to other parts of the body. Dental cleanings and prompt treatment of dental problems will help reduce your pet's risk of these serious health conditions.

10. Your Pet's Disposition May Improve

Painful teeth and gums can affect your pet's behavior. Once dental problems are treated, you may notice that your pet is much happier.

Is your pet due for a dental exam? Call us to schedule a convenient appointment.

Sources:

American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Dental Care

Tufts Now: Chew on This, 8/15/11

American Animal Hospital Association: 10 Facts You Need to Know to Protect Your Pet’s Oral (and Overall) Health

Cornell Feline Health Center: Tooth Resorption

Location

Find us on the map

Monday:

8:30 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

8:45 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Feedback from our clients

  • "Words can not begin to express our gratitude for the care you had given Hunter over the years. When his time came, he watched for you to come through the door and his tail showed his affection towards you. That was most comforting having you there. Thank you.""
    ~R.H
  • ""Thank you so much for taking care of Maggie over the years. Y'all are the best and Dr. Johnson, you are the best vet in the world! God bless you all.""
    ~ J.D.
  • ""Your care for my beloved Mattie these last 10n years made her life, and mine much better….God bless each of you for all you did for us and I'm sure for all your other two and four legged patients.""
    ~E.D.
  • ""Thank you for saving my life." ~T.C."
    ~T.C.
  • ""I can not express how grateful I am for you and your staff… I appreciate everything you did in Beckham's treatment. He was so lucky to have such a wonderful doctor on his side. Thank you for all you do for the benefit of all our beloved pets.""
    ~L.B.
  • ""Dr. Johnson - There are no words that can truly capture your kindness.""
    ~G.B.
  • ""Thank you for the great care you took of Taco and the rest of our family. He is doing great now! He is enjoying running and playing with all four legs again.""
    ~W.C
  • ""People who avail themselves of your services at the clinic certainly are blessed to have such a caring staff....bless you and your devoted staff.""
    ~E.D.
  • ""A sincere thank you for taking such good care of Dulce. We are so thrilled that she is back to her normal self. You gave her the support and care she needed in her darkest hours and kept us confident in her recovery.""
  • ""Just to say how much we appreciate all of you. You all are wonderful people. We feel blessed to have our beloved furry children in your care when they need it. Your professional knowledge and your acts of kindness have a beautiful act all it's own. You are a great vet, compassionate and everything good all in one. You are in our daily prayers.""
    ~T.F.
  • ""Thank you and all of your staff for the excellent care you gave to my wonderful Abbey, who was so much a part of the family. Thank you for all the advice and support you gave to me these last few months. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without your constant support. I will, and I have highly recommended you to family and friends, as I feel you are the best!""
    ~P.B.
  • ""Thank you for taking care of my kitty, Slingshot. He is feeling better and better. My Paw-Paw said that you took extra special care of him and I really appreciate it. So, thank you again for taking care of my cat.""
    ~T.B. (age 6)
  • ""Dr. Johnson, I don't know why you decided to move here from your home in New Jersey, but I absolutely believe it was so you could help me and Mickey. I know coming to someone's home is not what a typical veterinarian would do, but you are obviously an extraordinary man in a world filled with ordinary men….On top of that, your sensitive and wonderful handwritten note arrived and touched my heart…You are one of those quiet, unheralded champions who make life easier for everyone you touch.""
    ~C.W.
  • ""Thank you so much for taking care of Lola when she had her reaction, and your office was already closed. I know you took time away from yourself and your family and I really appreciate it.""
    ~R.M.
  • ""Thank you for giving me more time with my best friend. We are all so grateful.""
    ~A.M.
  • ""Thank you for all of your support for Maxine during her illness. All was very much appreciated and will always be remembered. I have related to all my friends of what a great doctor and staff at Birdneck Animal Hospital.""
    ~O.B.
  • ""Thank you for taking such good care of me over the last 4 years. I am doing well and both legs and feet feel great. You sis an awesome job on me Dr. Johnson, and I'm gonna have a great year this year and I hope to see you only for my check up. You guys are the best!""
    ~Budkus
  • "We can't thank you enough for the wonderful and loving care you gave to"Budkus" while he was in your care. He was so little and so sick and we were so scared for him. Each and every one of the staff members made us feel like we had the only dog in the world. Like nothing else mattered except getting "Budkus" well again. Our deepest gratitude to all of you for the excellent care and attention we received, for your encouragement, comfort, and understanding, and most importantly for saving his life! Thank you so much.""
    ~ J.,B.,C.