Your Pet's Dental Health
The Hazards of Poor Dental Health
Bad Breath: This can be an owner’s first indication of a serious problem. As tartar builds up on the teeth, so does bacteria. These bacteria can contribute to a “bad breath” smell coming from
your pet’s mouth. This smell can also indicate infection.
Gum Infection: Because dental tartar houses bacteria, it can lead to infection and inflammation of the gums. This can be not only uncomfortable for you pet, but unhealthy as well.
Tooth Loss: As dental disease progresses, infection can move beyond the crown of the teeth, and into the roots. Over time, these roots will rot away, leaving the tooth loose and painful..
Heart, Liver or Kidney Damage: Bacteria housed in dental tartar have easy access to the pet’s bloodstream via the gums. Over time, these bacteria coursing through the bloodstream can cause damage to the kidneys, liver or heart, resulting in permanent damage.
Preventing the Damage:
Not only are dental cleanings important, but the quality of the dental cleanings is vital as well. A true comprehensive pet dental MUST be performed under anesthesia, and should include the
following:
Hand and Ultrasonic Scaling: First, the bulk of the tartar is removed using hand-held instruments. After that, the finer pieces are removed by careful use of an ultrasonic scaler.
Subgingival Planing: This procedure removes tartar from deep under the gumline. It requires use of a special scraping device, and would be quite painful (if not impossible), if the pet were not under anesthesia.
A Careful Oral and Subgingival Exam: The pet’s mouth should be visually inspected for gum infection, rotten/broken teeth and oral lesions. Next, the technician will use a probe to make sure that there are no pockets of infection under the gumline.
Thorough Polishing: Scaling of the teeth to remove tartar can leave microscopic grooves in the tooth enamel. These grooves actually make it easier for tartar to attach. A thorough polishing smoothes out these grooves, making it harder for tartar to attach later.
The All Pets Animal Hospital Dental Advantage:
At All Pets Animal Hospital, we make every effort to make sure that your pet's dental cleaning is as safe and high-quality as possible! What is the All Pets difference?
Well Trained, Experienced, Compassionate Staff
The Safest Anesthesia available (Sevoflurane, used in human hospitals)
IV Catheters and Fluids for all patients under anesthesia
Comprehensive Anesthetic Monitoring, by both machine and trained technician.
Tender Loving Care!
If you have questions about the procedure or prices, please give us a call at (760)634-2022! One of our friendly staff members will be happy to help you!
