Comprehensive Dental Care for Cats & Dogs
Routine pet dental care is essential for cats' and dogs' oral and overall health, but most pets do not receive the oral hygiene care they require to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
At our Beacon veterinary hospital, we provide complete dental care for your pet. From basics such as dental exams, teeth cleanings, polishing, to dental x-rays and surgeries.
We also make it a point to educate pet owners on how to care for their pets' teeth at home.
Pet Dental Surgery in Beacon
We understand that finding out that your pet needs dental surgery can be overwhelming. We strive to make this process as stress-free as possible, for you and for your pet.
We'll do everything we can to ensure your pet's experience with us is comfortable and easy. We'll break down each step of the process to you in detail before the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Cat & Dog Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Much like your annual checkup at the dentist, your dog or cat should come in for a dental examination at least once a year. Pets who are more prone to dental problems than others may need return more often.
The Beacon Veterinary Associates can assess, diagnose, and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms, your dog or cat should visit a dentist.
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Discolored teeth
- Assessment
Before the dental exam, your pet will undergo a thorough pre-anesthetic physical examination.
We will take blood and urine analyses to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG, may also be conducted.
Once your pet is sedated, we will perform a thorough oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
The teeth are then cleaned and polished (including beneath the gum line), and x-rays are taken. Each tooth is then given a fluoride treatment.
Finally, a dental sealant is applied to prevent plaque from adhering to the enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is discovered, the veterinarian will devise a treatment plan and consult with you on it.
- Prevention
A follow-up examination should ideally be scheduled two weeks after the initial evaluation and treatment appointment.
During this visit, we will talk about how to brush your pet's teeth at home. We can also recommend products that will help your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our patients about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Poor oral health can lead to periodontal disease or tooth decay in our pets.
When animals eat, plaque adheres to their teeth. And if not brushed away on a regular basis, it can harden into tartar.
This can result in oral infections, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. That is why regular dental care is critical for preventing gum pain and disease.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know that behavior can be an indicator of oral health issues? If your pet has dental problems, you may notice them drooling excessively (which may contain pus or blood) or pawing at their mouth or teeth. They may also yawn a lot, grind their teeth, or fail to groom adequately.
Bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration are other signs of oral health problems.
Some pets may even experience pain that prevents them from eating. More information about symptoms can be found on the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Oral health issues and conditions, in addition to causing problems ranging from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Cysts or tumors may form. Your pet may also be feeling under the weather in general (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!). Furthermore, diseases associated with oral health conditions can shorten your pet's lifespan and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so important for the physical health and well-being of animals.
- What happens during teeth cleaning appointments?
During your pet's routine oral exam, the veterinarian will examine their mouth for oral health conditions or any symptoms that require treatment.
Tartar and other debris will be removed from your pet's teeth by the veterinarian. If cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions need to be addressed, the veterinarian will explain them to you and advise you on what steps to take.
Surgery may be required in some cases to treat serious conditions. Anesthesia will be administered to your pet prior to the dental procedure to ensure that they are comfortable and pain-free. However, special care will be required following surgery.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
Brushing your pet's teeth and providing dental chew toys should be done on a regular basis. These will aid the removal of plaque.
Do not allow them to chew on things that will harm their teeth, such as bones or hard objects. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet's oral health, always contact your veterinarian.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Cats and dogs do not understand what is going on during dental procedures, and will often react to them by struggling or biting.
Similar to the anesthesia provided to nervous or anxious patients by dentists, our Beacon vets provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to x-ray their mouth as needed.
