Dentistry
“Eighty-five percent of all dogs and cats over one year old have some degree of periodontal disease, but only 3% of dogs and 1% of cats get treatment.” That statistic, from the 2003 American Animal Hospital Compliance Study, mirrors what those of us in the veterinary field see every day.
Maintenance of dental health in pets is very different than that in humans, partly because it’s hard to tell when our pets’ mouths hurt. Some things to watch for in your pet that could indicate they are having trouble with their teeth would be:
- Halitosis (bad breath).
- Tartar – brown/yellow discoloration of teeth.
- Gingivitis - redness, swelling, or bleeding of the gums.
- Loose, broken or missing teeth.
- Pain or bleeding when your pet eats.
- Dropping food when eating.
- Increased salivation (drooling).
- Swelling around the nose or beneath the eyes.
- Discharge from the nose.
Dental disease causes more problems than just a sore mouth or loss of teeth. When tartar is present, bacteria are able to get underneath the gum line not only causing infection, but getting into the blood stream. Once the bacteria enter the blood stream, they can go to the heart, lungs, liver and kidney, causing significant damage.
Steps to improve your pet’s dental health include:
- Regular oral exams – a thorough oral exam is recommended every 6-12 months.
- Professional dental cleaning - A complete dental examination and cleaning, done under full anesthesia, is the only way to remove the tartar and help stop the disease process.
- General exam before anesthesia, pre-op blood testing is always recommended.
- Oral exam under anesthesia – to evaluate for loose, broken or missing teeth.
- Gross tartar removal - using ultrasonic scaler.
- Subgingival (below the gum line) cleaning – to remove hidden pockets of tartar and bacteria.
- Tooth polishing.
- Flushing of the oral cavity post-cleaning – to remove loosened bacteria and debris.
- Fluoride application.
- Post cleaning exam and dental radiographs (if indicated) to evaluate the areas below the gum line.
- Dental charting to create a treatment plan.
- Therapy, such as tooth extractions, if necessary.
- Home care instructions.
- No-fee follow-up appointment to assess healing and discuss performing home care.
- Home Care – Prevention starts at home. Plaque should be removed from your pet’s teeth daily before it mineralizes into tartar.
- Brushing your pet’s teeth daily is the best way to remove plaque. Use special toothpaste designed for pets, as people toothpaste can upset your pet’s stomach.
- Appropriate chews, diets or oral rinses may also be helpful in plaque removal.
Each Dental Prophylactic Cleaning has twelve separate steps:
Phone
360-574-7290
Location
13914 NE 16th Avenue Vancouver, WA 98685
Click Here for a Map
Hours
M-F -- 8 am to 5 pm Saturday: 8 am to 3 pm
*Appointments Preferred*