Pet owners know that dental care is an important part of keeping their four-footed family members healthy. In fact, dental disease is a common problem among dogs and cats. To ensure the best treatment of your pets, you need the services of trained professionals.
Common Dental Problems in Pets
Some of the dental problems often seen in animals include:
* Plague and tartar: Like humans, these unsightly deposits build up on pets’ teeth resulting in discoloration.
* Periodontal disease: This results when plaque develops under the gum and leads to inflammation and bleeding. This disease can lead to receding gums, tooth loss and even infection, which can spread to vital organs.
* Gingivitis: This is one of the main causes of bad breath in dogs; this disease results from periodontal disease.
* Tooth abscesses: These occur when tooth damage leads to infection, resulting in swelling and pain.
What to Expect from a Vet Hospital
When you take your pet to an animal hospital for dental care, you can expect some or all of the following:
* Dental examination: A basic check will determine if there are any abnormalities such as loose or broken teeth, tumors or bad breath. In-depth examinations usually involve some form of anesthesia.
* Dental cleaning: Anesthetic and non-anesthetic cleaning is done depending on the needs of the pet. For those pets with gum disease, anesthetic cleaning will make the process pain free.
* Dental radiographs are sometimes done to identify underlying dental problems.
What You Can Do to Help
As a pet owner, there is a lot that you can do between visits to a vet hospital. Your veterinarian will give advice on basic dental care for your pet. Brushing your pet’s teeth will help keep dental problems at bay. Certain hard foods such as kibbles are also good for keeping dogs’ teeth and gums healthy.
With veterinarians stating that dental disease starts showing up in animals as young as three years old, it is important to start dental care early. Fortunately, any good vet hospital will include dental checks in wellness visits. By practicing good oral health routines, it is possible for pet owners to save their dogs and cats the agony of dental disease.
The OC Veterinary medical Center offers quality dental care for pets to help keep their mouths healthy and clean. Visit their Facebook Page at Ocvetmedcenter.com to learn more.
