Pet Dentistry and Orthodontics

Dental health is a critical factor in your pet’s overall health. Statistics indicate 65—85% of all cats and dogs have dental disease by the age of three.

It’s important to remove dental plaque and tartar before it leads to inflammation and infection. The accompanying infection from dental disease can spread through the body affecting vital organs and functioning of the heart, kidney, and liver!

Our pets rely on us for their oral hygiene. Many pet owners think that chewing and eating naturally clean a pet’s teeth. Regrettably, that is not so. At wellness and routine visits, we’ll examine your pet’s mouth and will coach you on home care to attempt to ward off dental disease.

Cleaning Your Cat or Dog’s Teeth

WebMD Pets offers tips on teeth brushing for your dog.

For many pets, surgical dental cleaning and procedures are indicated. Pet dental work is very similar to human dentistry, but most pets won't sit still that long! Sedation during procedures allows us to use dental tools to remove mineralized plaque or tartar. We’ll also polish teeth and examine the teeth and mouth completely. Digital dental X-rays will be taken, since dental disease is often below the gum line. If needed, we’ll remove any infected or decayed teeth. Sometimes it is preferable to save major teeth with root canals. For clients opting for that, we can provide a referral. And just as in any pet surgery, we’ll provide a safe and comfortable environment for your pet.

For animals with teeth and alignment issues, pet orthodontics can provide a comfortable and functional bite. Some pets with bite issues actually have puncture wounds from their canines as they strike the soft palate. Orthodontic treatment uses appliances, tooth removal, or surgery to fix the way teeth and jaws are aligned. We’ve fitted many of our patients with acrylic plates to correct alignment.

Signs of Dental Disease in Your Pet

• Persistent bad breath (this is not normal!)
• Reluctance to chew toys or hard food
• Dropping food
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums

HealthPet.com offers an informative article about pet dental health.