To ensure your pet maintains their overall
health and well-being,
we recommend scheduling cat and dog teeth cleaning appointments as well as offering regular at home care to prevent any health problems such as periodontal disease. It’s very common for pets to be diagnosed with periodontal disease, as pet dental care is usually overlooked. At South County Animal Hospital, we want to maintain your pet’s overall health and wellness, which includes cleaning and examining your dog or cat’s teeth. Check out the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s website for more information on what products to use and how to preserve their oral health between visits.
Symptoms of Pet Dental Problems
Why do we recommend having your pet’s teeth cleaned and checked each year? Our licensed veterinary technicians can clean and polish your dog or cat’s teeth and perform digital dental radiographs (X-rays) to check for underlying issues. Pets may often hide any signs of pain or discomfort and continue to act and eat normally. Little known signs of pain may include increased licking, difficulty breathing, and variations in posture or sleep habits. If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, it may be time to schedule a cat or dog teeth cleaning:
Bad breath
Broken, loose, or missing teeth
Discoloration or tartar build up
Excessive chewing or drooling
Reduced appetite or inability to chew
Swelling and bleeding in or around the mouth
Our Dental Health Procedure
in Morgan Hill, CA
To perform the thorough procedure that is examining and cleaning your pet’s teeth and mouth, we will need to place them under anesthesia once we have evaluated their health. We use anesthesia to maximize the comfort and safety of your pet during this lengthy procedure. Then, we will begin our oral health procedure:
- Place an IV catheter to administer fluids and anesthesia
- Provide antibiotics to protect the bloodstream and kickstart the healing process
- Clean above and below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar and prevent periodontal disease
- Assess your pet’s teeth and mouth for any problems including tongue or lip lesions, deep pockets in the gums around the teeth and loose, broken or discolored teeth
- Perform digital dental X-rays to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the mouth and check for retained roots, enamel defects, root abscesses and bone loss due to infection
- Polish the teeth to help avoid future plaque build up
- Carefully flush below your pet’s gums to remove any debris, and decrease inflammation as well as the risk of periodontal disease
- Offer recommendations for and administer treatment for any issues your veterinarian may have noticed during their assessment
Your veterinarian can provide recommendations more specific to your pet’s needs on how to help prevent dental health issues, or you can visit VOHC.org for more information.
