Dental health

Keep your pet's smile shining bright

Have you looked inside your pet's mouth recently? Does it smell bad? They may need a dental scaling. This procedure typically involves anesthesia to sedate your pet, scaling tartar off your pet's teeth and gumline, and polishing to restore your pet's natural enamel. If your pet has not had any blood work done recently, pre-dental blood work would need to be done to check how organs such as the kidneys and liver are functioning. Checking the performance of these organs is vital because it tells us how well your pet would wake up from anesthesia, as well as alert us to any ongoing health issues.

Stages of periodontal disease in animals courtesy of Royal Canin

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues among dogs and cats greater than 1 year old, and is and tartar buildup leads to tooth decay (loss of enamel, cavities), in dogs and cats the most common dental problem is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is when plaque and tartar cause the gums to become inflamed. The gums recede and can completely preventable! Unlike in humans where plaque eventually expose the root of the tooth, as well as cause the tooth to fall out. The buildup of plaque and tartar generally accumulates in the premolar and molars at the back of your pet's mouth, which if untreated leads to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). The accumulation of plaque and tartar also create the perfect living environment for millions of bacteria. These bacteria live in the mouth and are absorbed in the body and spread to the heart, kidneys and liver causing organ damage.

Brushing your pet's teeth
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - stick to the basics!

The best thing for your pet's mouth is a daily tooth brushing! Just like we brush our teeth several times per day, it's important to start a routine of brushing your pet's teeth daily. Below are some useful tutorials on how to brush your dog and cat's teeth at home. Be sure to ALWAYS use a pet friendly toothpaste and soft bristle toothbrush. If your pet seems to be in pain from brushing their teeth, come see us. They may need a dental scaling to remove excess plaque and tartar.

Can't brush their teeth?
We know it's not always easy!

We know it's not always easy to brush your pet's teeth! Some pets become very stressed as they don't comprehend what we are doing inside their mouth. If you can't brush your dog or cat's teeth, why not put them on a prescription dental diet? Royal Canin has dental line for large breed dogs, small breed dogs, and cats. It's a complete and balanced food that provides precise nutrition while aids in the control of plaque and tartar with large kibbles designed to promote chewing.

As with all of our prescription diets, save 10% off the MSRP and get free shipping by visiting our online store.

We want your pet to have a long, healthy, happy life. Good dental health is vital in prolonging your pet's life. If you have any questions or concerns, or to schedule a dental cleaning, please call us at (347) 773 - 5476.