Dove Mountain Veterinary
Dentistry
Annual dental exams and cleanings are recommended to protect your pet from many health problems and help them maintain a healthy and clean mouth.
Overview
Studies show that 50% of all dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease. That number jumps to 80% in pets that are 3 years of age or older. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause infection, pain, and tooth loss over time. It can also lead to serious health problems like microscopic changes in the heart, liver, and kidneys. Because of this, we recommend an annual veterinary dental healthcare examination for all pets.
Why do pets need dental care?
Many health problems start in the mouth. Plaque, tartar, periodontal disease, and infected teeth serve as a source of inflammation and infection for the rest of the body.
Dental disease is one of the most common problems that we see in dogs and cats. It can cause drooling, reluctance to eat, swelling, bad breath, redness of the gums, loose teeth and tooth discoloration.
When should I seek dental care for my pet?
Dental issues and dental related diseases can easily be prevented by visiting our veterinarians regularly for dental examinations and cleanings. We take a comprehensive approach to dental care including dental health assessment, treatment, and prevention.
How does it work?
Teeth Exams, Cleaning and Polishing
Dog and cat dental cleanings are very similar to human dental cleanings, except that we are required to use anesthesia to properly and safely examine and clean the teeth. After the cleaning, our veterinarians perform a thorough oral exam and check for signs of disease like gum loss, root exposure, or pockets around the root.
Also similar to human dentistry, we do full mouth radiographs (x-rays) of your pet. This allows our veterinarians to be able to evaluate the roots of your pet's teeth as well as any disease or abnormalities that are located below the gum line and not visible on examination alone.
Tooth Extractions
We make every effort to save teeth that we feel have a chance to be successfully treated. In many circumstances, however, periodontal disease is so advanced that treatment without extraction is unsuccessful. We only extract teeth that in the doctor's opinion are beyond saving.
Minor Oral Surgery
Many teeth require oral surgery to safely remove each individual root. We have extensive training and experience to perform these procedures properly. Pain medications are administered in clinic and provided for in-home aftercare.
Pets need to have teeth and gums that are in good condition in order to stay healthy overall. Dental problems can increase the risk of health problems that affect other parts of the body, including major organs. Our veterinarian in Marana can check your pets’ teeth and keep them healthy with regular cleanings. Dogs and cats can develop different kinds of dental problems. One of the most common dental problems that affect pets is gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. This disease occurs when bacteria get into the gum tissue and infect it. As the disease gets worse, pets can end up with loose teeth or missing teeth, along with soreness that makes eating difficult. Pets can also get tooth decay and suffer from tooth damage that increases the risk of infection. Finding these problems as early as possible helps prevent complications and lowers the risk of problems in other parts of the body. Routine exams are an important part of detecting dental problems early.
Teeth Cleaning
Like a regular checkup, pet dental care is critical for overall health. Having your pet’s teeth cleaned on an annual basis can significantly reduce the risk of developing other health-related issues. Once your pet reaches a few years in age, they run the risk of developing infections around their teeth and gums. Unfortunately, many times the situation is left untreated, which leads to further complications. At Dove Mountain Veterinary, located in Marana, AZ, we take a proactive role in preventing illnesses with our teeth cleaning services for your cat or dog.
Dental Care
Without proper care, periodontal disease develops and creates a host of problems for your pet. It forms from the bacteria and leftover food debris lining your pet’s gums. Just like humans, over time the remaining food bits turn into plaque. Once the tartar buildup begins, your pet can get an infection if a cavity forms. Bacterial infections in the mouth may cause the need for tooth extraction, which is a costly procedure.
A visit to the veterinarian for teeth cleaning is also essential to prevent other possible issues. Dangerous bacteria from the mouth can travel to other parts of the pet’s body like their heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver. Gum disease starts as early as three years old, so it’s critical to take these preventive measures early on. These dangerous conditions are prevented with regular visits to your Marana, AZ, animal hospital. A visit to your veterinarian for annual teeth cleaning is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and other significant health-related issues. Our professionally trained veterinarians know to remove plaque build-up along your pet’s gum line correctly. Also, your pet’s teeth are polished to create a more protective surface.
Tooth Extraction
Dental health is more important than you might imagine for your pets and Dove Mountain Veterinary is a wonderful option in the Marana area. Pets cannot take care of their own teeth so it falls to the owner to care for them and make sure they are healthy. Teeth in a pet are crucial for not only eating and being comfortable but also in terms of heart health and preventing infection in the body. As your pet ages or their dental health declines, it becomes necessary to seek pet dental care as a veterinarian. They can help with sedated tooth cleaning, they can help you to keep their teeth clean and they can even aid in dental surgery and tooth removal. Tooth extraction is not something that every pet is going to have to have done every time they visit the vet for a cleaning. In most cases, your veterinarian is going to work to keep as many teeth as possible and to repair those that can be repaired. Dental surgery is not something that we want to put our pets through but with a good animal hospital, you can get your pet's teeth back in great shape. Extraction is the surgical removal of the tooth from the affected pet.
