Dentistry at Beyond Pets

The Healthy Mouth: Veterinary Dentistry at Beyond Pets

ByPhil Good, DVM Pet Health

Introduction

When Charlie, a loving and devoted dog owner, noticed that his canine companion, Daisy, had been reluctant to eat her favorite treats, he knew something was off. Concerned, Charlie took her to the vet, only to learn that poor Daisy had been suffering from dental issues. This revelation led Charlie down a path of discovery on the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth for pets.

Do you ever wonder what your pets are hiding behind those smiles? Have you noticed your pet has bad breath or has stopped eating regularly?

Believe it or not, your pet’s dental health can reveal many problems. Knowing and understanding why oral diseases occur in cats and dogs is essential for their well-being. More than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the age of three, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society.

That’s where veterinary dentistry comes in. In this article, I’ll explain how veterinary dentistry can help improve your pets’ dental health. Plus, I’ll provide tips on ways to care for their teeth naturally!

What is Veterinary Dentistry and Who Should Perform Them?

What is veterinary dentistry, and who should perform them

Veterinary dentistry involves cleaning, adjusting, filing, extracting, and repairing pets’ teeth. The goal is to maintain their oral health and prevent painful dental issues down the road. Since they can’t necessarily tell us when something’s wrong with their teeth and gums, routine preventive care is essential.

For those tasks that require special skills and equipment beyond a routine check-up (like extracting teeth or doing a thorough exam under anesthesia to assess any dental issues below the gum line), only a veterinarian or board-certified veterinary dentist should perform these procedures.

Veterinary dentists have additional training/education in all aspects of veterinary dentistry and experience across Europe’s finest clinics. They know how to deal with pre-existing conditions that may be more uncommon and complex than common dental issues in companion animals.

Why is Dental Health in Pets Essential?

Pet owners must keep an eye on their furry friend’s dental health. As you may know, regular dental cleanings can help protect pets against painful gum disease and other severe oral conditions, such as gingivitis and periodontal diseases, that can lead to more dangerous problems. Our clinic provides comprehensive dental services, including teeth cleaning, X-rays, extraction, and surgery.

Pet owners should watch for warning signs of poor dental hygiene, such as missing teeth, bad breath, or excessive drooling. If your pet shows any of these symptoms, you can schedule a thorough dental exam as soon as possible. Untreated issues in the mouth can cause significant problems over time and even impact your pet’s overall health. So make sure your pet gets the care it deserves, and considers professional scheduling teeth cleaning every six months to keep your companion healthy!

What is Pet Dental Care?

Dental care for pets is an essential part of dog and cat health. The importance of oral hygiene for pets can easily be overlooked, but it’s one of the most important things you can do to maintain their overall health. Regular teeth brushing and proper diet play significant roles in keeping your pet’s mouth clean and healthy.

Dental care is an integral part of your pet’s overall health. It involves regular teeth brushing, proper diet, and regular check-ups. Regular teeth brushing helps to remove plaque and tartar build-up that can lead to gum disease and other severe oral conditions. A proper diet also plays a role in keeping your pet’s mouth clean and healthy.

Regular check-ups with a veterinarian or board-certified veterinary dentist are crucial for maintaining your pet’s dental health. During these visits, the vet or dentist will examine your pet’s teeth and gums to look for any signs of infection or disease. They may also take X-rays to get a better look at what’s going on beneath the surface. If any issues are found, they can be treated immediately to prevent further damage.

Our compassionate veterinarians perform professional cleanings and minor periodontal surgeries with the latest technology for pets of all sizes. We also strive to educate pet owners about proper at-home dental care for their furry friends. With regular checks at the vet and ongoing maintenance at home, you can keep your pet’s teeth healthy for a lifetime. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive dental care services!

Oral Health in Dogs and Cats

Good oral health is an essential component of an overall healthy lifestyle for your dog or cat, just as it is for humans. Pets should have their teeth examined by a veterinarian at least once a year to check for issues that may not be visible to the naked eye. Some signs of dental problems include bad breath, broken or loose teeth, discolored or covered tartar, and swelling around the mouth or face.

Additionally, pets displaying any changes in behavior should be taken to the vet as soon as possible because these could signify underlying dental problems such as pain and infections. Commonly affected areas include the gums, roots of teeth, and jaws. Dental problems can also lead to systemic issues if left untreated, so owners must take action when they notice any symptoms in their furry family members.

Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams

Vets perform pet teeth cleaning and examination to provide veterinary dental care for your pets. Teeth cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar, which can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental issues. The vet gently removes any build-up on the tooth surface during a pet tooth cleaning before finishing with a polishing.

The vet may also take x-rays to check for abscesses or underlying issues in the mouth. If there are signs of gum disease, they will use special instruments to scrape away tartar from the tooth root surfaces and evaluate the health of the gums. The vet may also administer medications to reduce inflammation or prescribe antibiotics if needed.

Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams

During an oral exam, vets will look at your pet’s jaw structure and tooth alignment and bite and examine their tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips for abnormalities. They may also take samples of saliva or plaque for testing to find possible infections or bacterial overgrowth that might indicate a need for treatment.

Overall, professional pet teeth cleaning and examinations are essential in keeping your pet’s oral health in check! Regular visits make it much easier to detect and prevent major issues before they become serious problems – something that could make all the difference in your pet’s quality of life.

How to Care for Your Pet’s Teeth

Caring for your pet’s teeth is essential to their overall health, and animal dentistry can help keep pets healthy and prolong their lives.

Here are a few easy tips to start caring for your pet’s teeth:

  • Brush Your Pet’s Teeth Regularly – Just like humans, brushing your pet’s teeth daily or twice a week can help reduce tartar build-up and prevent gum disease. You can use a specially designed toothbrush or finger brush to brush your pet’s teeth, and the meeting should be soft-bristled and explicitly intended for animals, not humans.
  • Provide Dental Chews – Dental chews or chew toys are specially formulated treats containing enzymes and minerals that help break down plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth with regular chewing. Ask your veterinarian which types are best for your pet and provide them regularly, usually every day or every other day.
  • Feed an appropriately sized kibble – Choose a specifically designed small bite-size kibble for all-size dogs as it promotes chewing and helps remove debris from the gums while they eat, reducing plaque build-up.

Following these steps and regular veterinary check-ups,s will ensure that your pet maintains healthy teeth and gums throughout their lifetime!

Frequently Asked Questions

The three main types of dental images are intraoral imaging, extraoral imaging, and digital panoramic radiography. Intraoral photos are those captured within the oral cavity. They may include imaging with an X-ray machine, a dental probe, and cameras that capture both traditional and digital photographs. Extraoral images are usually taken outside the oral cavity to gain an overall view of what is inside. These can include extended view bitewing, lateral cephalometric studies, and occlusal tomograms.

Digital panoramic radiography (DPR) is an x-ray technology used in dentistry to produce a two-dimensional flat image of the maxillofacial region, which consists of the upper jaw and the lower jaw. This imaging allows dentists to detect issues such as cavities, tooth decay, impacted wisdom teeth, fractures, or abscesses that ordinarily are not visible through human eyes or regular intraoral photos.

Digital panoramic radiographs provide more detailed information about the patient’s teeth than would be attainable from traditional film radiographs.

When it comes to your pet’s dental needs, it is important to start addressing them as early as possible. Regular professional cleaning and exams are essential for your pet’s health to maintain their teeth and check for any underlying oral diseases.

Ideally, a veterinary dentist should examine the animal at least once a year. Then, it would be best to brush your pet’s teeth at least twice a week with a special toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for animals. This can help reduce plaque and tartar build-up and decrease the risk of gum inflammation or gum disease. It would be best if you also fed them specially formulated dry food that helps clean their teeth and treat them with “chew sticks” or chips such as rawhide bones and other crunchy snacks like carrots and apples.

If your pet already has signs of dental disease like bad breath, broken or lose teeth, excessive drooling, or swollen gums — additional attention from the vet may be necessary. First, your veterinarian will likely take x-rays of your pet’s mouth, looking for any underlying issues such as jaw fractures, large caries deposits, or tumors that require surgical treatment. Then, depending on the severity of the condition, they may decide to extract one or more teeth to prevent further damage and pain.

No matter how well you brush your teeth at home, preventing regular dental care by an experienced professional will result in neglect which could end up causing more complications down the road, including pain, inflammation, and disease, so you should not ignore your pet’s dental needs!

Brushing your dog’s teeth is essential for oral health and should be done regularly. A good dental care routine for your pet can help prevent bad breath, plaque build-up, and gum disease.

First, you must get dog-safe toothpaste from your vet or pet store. Make sure to avoid any human toothpaste as it may contain ingredients that can be harmful to pets.

Once you have the necessary supplies, begin by massaging your pet’s lips and gum so they become familiar with the sensation of the brushing motion. Then put some toothpaste on the finger brush or toothbrush and rub it against their teeth and gums in circular motions. Depending on how comfortable they are with the process, they work up to all-around movements across each side of their teeth. You should repeat this 2-3 times per week for about two minutes.

To make brushing enjoyable for your dog, give them treats after each session or reward them with verbal praise that lets them know they are a good pup! Regular veterinary check-ups are also recommended to ensure healthy teeth over their lifetime.

Periodontal disease is a widespread and potentially serious problem affecting your pet’s health and quality of life. It occurs when bacteria build up around the mouth’s teeth, gums, and other tissues, causing inflammation, pain, and damage to the mouth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to various symptoms, such as bad breath, bleeding gums, loss of appetite, weight loss, tooth loss, painful chewing, and more. Over time it can even cause systemic diseases such as kidney or liver problems.

A healthy dog’s mouth looks like it has a clean surface with no dried food or saliva build-up. The teeth should be in good condition, and the gums should be pink and healthy. The tongue should be pink and moist, with no dry or cracked areas. The teeth may show some slight wear from chewing, but overall they should look clean and healthy. The dog’s saliva production should also be expected; if it is excessive or restricted, this may indicate a health problem that needs to be investigated further by a veterinarian.

One study found that water additives such as fluoride and copper helped prevent oral cat cancer. However, more research is needed to determine if these products are effective for other types of dental health problems in cats.

As with any supplement, it is always essential to consult a veterinarian before giving any water additive to a pet. Some purported tooth cleaners containing sodium and potassium hydroxide or citric acid have been shown in preliminary studies to remove plaque and bacteria from teeth when given as part of a dental care regimen. Still, long-term safety data has yet to be made available.

Yes, it is possible to change dog dental disease by following a treatment plan that includes regular cleanings, healthy food and supplements, and pain relief. However, if your dog has dental disease, it is essential to see a veterinary dentist as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe an antibiotic to help fight the infection and pain relief treatments such as oral medications or surgery.

You may also need to make some dietary changes, including feeding your pet healthy food and supplements that improve dental health. If you can, try doing some of these things on your own before seeking professional help; this will lessen the financial burden of treatment for you and your pup.

Some common behavior problems that may be indicative of oral health issues in dogs include:

  • Swallowing difficulties: One of the first signs a dog may have trouble swallowing is when it starts to gag or choke on its food. If your dog is prone to this type of problem, you should watch for changes in its eating habits and make an appointment with the veterinarian if necessary. In addition, teeth grinding can signify that teeth are not fitting correctly into gums and may need to be examined by a dentist.
  • Loose teeth: If your dog constantly loses teeth, it may indicate a dental issue. It’s essential to have your dog examined by the veterinarian; loose teeth can quickly become infected, and surgery may be necessary to replace them.
  • Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss and other problems. See a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment if you notice any changes in your dog’s oral health, including bad breath or gum bleeding.

Most pet parents need to realize that their pets need to receive the oral hygiene care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Unfortunately, many believe that simply giving their animal a meal or water will suffice when this is only sometimes effective. Pets typically consume food and drink from people and other animals, which can contain bacteria and other harmful compounds that can damage their teeth and gums. In addition, many pets lick themselves clean after going to the bathroom – an activity that leaves them coated with bacteria.

If your pet is experiencing the following, you may need to see a veterinarian: severe pain when eating or drinking, increased thirst or appetite, pale gums, black tarry stools (feces), and a fever greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some things to consider when assessing your pet’s dental health including whether or not their teeth are clean if there is any plaque build-up on their teeth, and if they have any problems with chewing or biting. In addition, it is essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer in pets.

You can do a few things to help your cat or dog have a healthy mouth, including providing them with proper oral care and cleaning their teeth. Additionally, ensuring they access fresh water and food that is appropriately chewable helps keep their molars solid and healthy.

A few things can be done at home for your pet’s oral health. One is to make sure their teeth are brushed regularly. Another is to give them dental chews made from soft materials, such as rawhide or pumpkin guts, instead of more complex treats like bones. Finally, water fluoridation can help keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this veterinary website is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for any concerns or questions regarding the health and well-being of your pet. This website does not claim to cover every possible situation or provide exhaustive knowledge on the subjects presented. The owners and contributors of this website are not responsible for any harm or loss that may result from the use or misuse of the information provided herein.

Dr. Phil Good, owner of Beyond Pets Animal Hospital, received his Bachelor of Science with highest honors in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2006. Phil finally came to his senses, realizing he’d much rather work with animals than in a chemical plant. Dr. Good obtained his doctorate in veterinary medicine from UGA in 2011.

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