Pet Dental

When was the last time your pet’s teeth were cleaned? According to the AVMA, pets who have never had a teeth cleaning have signs of dental disease by the time they are three years old. For that reason, Broadway Veterinary Hospital recommends that all pets have a yearly dental cleaning and oral examination.

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Gum Disease in Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats are prone to developing the same types of dental diseases and problems as humans, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth decay, staining, and cavities. The process of dental decay and disease starts every time your pet eats. When your pet eats, food particles get on their teeth and gums. This fuels the bacteria in your pet’s mouth, causing an acid attack on the enamel of their teeth and creating a sticky, clear substance called plaque. If the plaque is left on teeth, it hardens into tartar. When plaque and tartar are left on your pet’s teeth for an extended period, it can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, cavities, and oral infections.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases affecting dogs and cats. Chronic infections in the mouth can spread to the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys. Since dental disease has detrimental effects on the entire body, our goal is to prevent painful dental infection and tooth loss by providing affordable dentistry and manageable homecare options. All dentistry is performed under general anesthesia. Most patients are placed on antibiotics for 5 days before and 5 days after their procedure. Similar to routine surgeries, dentistry patients are scheduled for morning check-in and afternoon check-out and are performed Tuesday through Thursday.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases affecting dogs and cats. Chronic infections in the mouth can spread to the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys. Since dental disease has detrimental effects on the entire body, our goal is to prevent painful dental infection and tooth loss by providing affordable dentistry and manageable homecare options. All dentistry is performed under general anesthesia. Most patients are placed on antibiotics for 5 days before and 5 days after their procedure. Similar to routine surgeries, dentistry patients are scheduled for morning check-in and afternoon check-out and are performed Tuesday through Thursday.

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The Hazards of Untreated Periodontal Disease in Pets

Periodontal disease left untreated in dogs and cats can lead to dangerous infections, like abscesses and blood infections. Advanced dental disease can also affect your pet’s heart, liver, and kidneys. In order to avoid these potentially life-threatening conditions, it is important to keep your pet’s teeth clean with a combination of at-home care and regular veterinary teeth cleanings.

Signs of Dental Disease in Pets

When it comes to detecting potential oral health problems in pets, owners must be vigilant in noticing changes in behavior. This is because pets often do not act like they are in pain until the pain is severe. If you notice any of the signs below, it is important that you contact us to schedule a dental checkup, teeth cleaning, and/or gum disease treatment.

Broken or Loose Teeth
Discomfort While Eating
Extremely bad Breath
Purulent (pus) or Bloody Drool
Red Gums
Staining on the Teeth
Swollen or Inflamed Gums
Weight Loss or Loss of Appetite

Pet Dental Cleaning

Broadway Veterinary Hospital recommends that all dogs and cats receive their first dental checkup shortly after they are weaned and at least once a year for every year of their lives. Pet dental checkups include an examination of your pet’s head, neck, face, ears, and mouth in order to check for signs of health problems. Once the basic examination is complete, if your veterinarian believes your pet needs a dental cleaning, we will set up an appointment for your pet. The dental cleaning will completely clean all the plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth and below the gum line. If they have a bad tooth, it can be removed at this time. Once your pet’s teeth are clean, we can give you tips and tricks to help you remove food particles and plaque at home between professional dental cleanings, like pet-safe toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental chews.

To learn more about our veterinary dental services and how we can protect the health of your pet, call us at (507) 206-3313 today.