Benefits of Good Pet Oral Health: Advice form out Veterinarians in Collierville, TN

Dental health is extremely important for your pet’s oral health as well as their overall general health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a wide range of other health problems. Collierville Animal Clinic recommends that along with practicing good oral hygiene at home, your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once each year by your vet. Routine cleaning and dental checkups will allow our Collierville vet to identify early signs of a problem.

Symptoms of Poor Oral Health in Pets

Many pets will become irritable when they have dental problems, so any changes in your pet’s behavior may be a sign of dental problems and you should visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. It is important to check your pet’s mouth, but be careful, because they may bite if they are having mouth pain. Symptoms that may indicate an oral health problem include:

• Bad breath
• Abnormal drooling, chewing and/or dropping food from their mouth
• Discolored teeth and/or noticeable tarter
• Change in appetite or refusing to eat
• Extra teeth or baby teeth that haven’t fallen out
• Loose or broken teeth
• Bleeding in the mouth
• Swelling gums
• Noticeable pain in or around their mouth

What Does a Dental Exam Include?

Taking your pet to the vet for a thorough cleaning and exam often starts with the veterinarian giving your pet an oral exam to look for signs of dental problems, such as gingivitis and injured teeth. If necessary, an x-ray will be used to check for dental disease. A dental cleaning includes a removing the dental plaque and tartar and polishing the teeth. If the vet finds a problem, the treatment options will vary depending on the problem, but most dental treatments are done while your pet is under anesthesia.

Prevention is the best way to reduce the risk of oral hygiene problems in your pet. Daily brushing will help to remove particles of food between your pet’s teeth. There are also a variety of dental diet options and treats that may help to keep plaque and tarter to a minimum. Talk with your vet about diet recommendations and treats that are appropriate for your pet.

Contact our Collierville Veterinarians Today for a Pet Dental Exam

To schedule your pet’s dental exam and cleaning, contact Collierville Animal Clinic & Surgery Center. Call us at (901) 853-8519.