In-House Dentistry
Just as the dentists recommend regular dental cleanings for us, veterinarians recommend dental cleanings for your dogs and cats. Pets' teeth build up plaque and tartar, just like ours. However, without the regular brushing of the teeth that people get, the tartar in your pet's mouth may become a real problem. Tartar is home to bacteria that can seriously harm the structure of the teeth and gums, as well as enter the bloodstream and cause damage to the internal organs. Brushing the pet's teeth and using dental chews are a great way to avoid or postpone this, but once the tartar is on your pet's teeth, brushing and dental chews will not do enough to completely remove the problem. At this point, it will take a complete dental cleaning at the veterinarians office.
Dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia, and scheduled just like most surgeries would be- the pet would be dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon. The teeth are scaled using an ultrasonic scaler, and then polished. If any teeth need to be extracted, the veterinarian will do so with your permission. If desired, we can even apply a sealant-like product called Oravet. This product is applied once after the dental, and then is reapplied in a less-concentrated form weekly at home to help prevent further tartar accumulation. Oravet or other home dental care solutions are vital to maintaining the health of the teeth after a dental cleaning, as well as lengthening the time before your pet will need another one.
If you are not sure whether or not your pet needs a dental cleaning, our veterinarians will be happy to evaluate the teeth at his or her next appointment.