Keep Dental Disease Away With Proactive Pet Care
Dental disease affects over two-thirds of cats and dogs by the time they are three years old. Too often, we see pets in the later stages of periodontal disease where teeth are damaged beyond repair. Treatment of the disease in these stages is difficult on your pet and costly to you. Yet, dental disease is entirely preventable. That’s why Park Grove Pet Hospital encourages pet parents of Cottage Grove, MN and the surrounding communities to take a proactive approach to dental care with professional dog and cat teeth cleaning and effective home care.
Treating Pet Teeth Above & Below the Gum Line
The early stages of disease cause bad breath, gingivitis, and discolored teeth. Yet, the symptoms we see (and smell) are only part of the problem. Tartar also accumulates below the gum line and it is this build-up that has the most severe effect on gum recession, inflammation, and the progression of disease. To clean below the gum line, we need to use general anesthesia for our dental procedures for the comfort and safety of your pet.
Our Preventative Dental Procedure
Regular dental cleanings can prevent the progression of periodontal disease in pets. Our teeth cleaning procedures include:
- A pre-anesthetic exam and bloodwork to check the health of your pet’s kidneys and liver which play a vital role in metabolizing the anesthesia
- Full anesthetic monitoring that tracks all your pet’s vitals
- Digital dental X-rays to fully evaluate your pet’s dental health above and below the gum line
- Ultrasonic scaling of each tooth to remove tartar buildup
- Polishing of each tooth to smooth the enamel and make it harder for plaque to stick
If your pet’s teeth are severely damaged by dental disease, we may have to perform extractions. This involves complete removal of the tooth. We take extra precautions against pain by providing pain medications during and after the procedure so your pet wakes with little to no discomfort.
Creating an Effective Home Pet Dental Care Plan
As you know, we’re not the only ones responsible for your pet’s dental health! You play a crucial role in maintaining their oral hygiene with an effective home pet dental care plan.
What A Complete Plan Includes
- A healthy diet (essential for bone and tooth development)
- Plenty of water (helps to rinse food from the teeth and gums)
- Appropriate snacks (veterinary-approved treats, some of which are formulated to remove plaque and tartar)
- Safe chew toys (which stimulate the gums, promote salivation, and help scrub the surface of the teeth)
- And last but not least, a dental hygiene regime!
Brushing your pet’s teeth is the single best way to prevent plaque buildup; however, other teeth cleaning options including dental chews, oral rinses, prescription dental diets, and more.
