Pet Dental Care
Pet Dental Care in Tiffin, OH
Pet surgical procedures encompass a range of medical interventions to treat injuries, illnesses, or conditions in animals. These may include spaying and neutering, tumor removal, orthopedic surgeries, and dental procedures.
Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in adult cats and dogs.
More than just bad breath, dental disease can cause pain, tooth/bone loss, and infection and may affect internal organ function. The bacteria in the mouth are a readily available infection source for the rest of the body. Liver, kidney, and heart function can suffer from untreated oral disease. Dental disease is present in at least 85% of patients over the age of 3 years.
Regular Dental Examinations
As part of regular physical examinations, our veterinarians evaluate the teeth and gums and grade them on a scale of 1-4, with 1 being the best and 4 the worst. Dental cleanings are recommended based on these scores. Teeth extractions may be done during the procedure if determined to be necessary by the veterinarian. Dental cleanings are performed under general anesthesia to clean and evaluate all teeth properly. Our veterinarians perform extractions and document in the pet’s medical chart if extractions are required. Most dental patients can return home the same day.
Why is dental care so important for my pet?
Recent studies have shown that 70% of adult cats and 80% of adult dogs show symptoms of oral disease. Safety is a top priority when your pet is coming in for a cleaning. Therefore, we conduct pre-anesthetic blood work for all patients before dental procedures. This ensures that they are healthy and not harboring any underlying problems. Once the anesthesia has been administered, we can move forward with the cleaning.
Dental disease can lead to significant health issues with the heart, liver, and kidneys due to the bacteria in the mouth traveling in the bloodstream. Unfortunately, other than bad breath, sometimes there are few signs of the disease process evident. However, the alarming fact is that 85% of all pets have dental disease by the time they are three years of age.
Since good dental hygiene is an ongoing process, we are dedicated to spreading dental health awareness. We think of our clients like family, so we do everything possible to make caring for your pet’s teeth at home easier for you. Therefore, we have veterinarians recommended toothbrushes and toothpaste for home brushings available for purchase in our office after your pet’s appointment.
While daily tooth brushing is ideal, several weekly brushings effectively combat the plaque and bacteria that cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Ask us about water additives and OraVet chews if your pet is uncooperative with regular brushing. Your veterinarian will gladly recommend products to keep your pet happy and their teeth healthy.