Preventive Dental Care
Routine dental care matters.
Your pet’s oral health is more important than you might realize. Animals need healthy mouths to chew and eat properly without pain. Animals that develop gum disease are susceptible to further complications because the bacteria in the gums can travel through the bloodstream to other organs.
The simplest way to combat gum disease is through regular dental cleanings. Our doctors will inspect your pet’s mouth at every checkup to look for tartar, inflammation, broken or missing teeth, and other signs that your pet’s teeth need some extra TLC. As an added preventive measure, we also recommend thorough dental cleanings performed under anesthesia for all dogs and cats. We are happy to make your pet’s dental cleaning part of his or her wellness exam to save you and your pet an additional visit. When you call to schedule your wellness exam, simply let us know that you’d also like a dental cleaning.
Most pets need just one cleaning each year, but some breeds prone to gum disease or pets with existing dental conditions might need more frequent visits
If you spot any of the following signs or behaviors between visits, please give us a call:
- Loose or missing teeth
- Chronic bad breath
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Excessive drooling and/or pawing at the mouth
- Trouble eating (or reluctance to eat at all)
- Tilting the head to chew on one side of the mouth
- Lumps in the mouth or on the gums
Our veterinarians can also help you provide home care for your pet’s teeth between cleanings by showing you how to brush your pet’s teeth and helping you choose the right kind of toothbrush and toothpaste. We can also recommend beneficial dietary choices or tooth-friendly chew toys as needed.
Call us at (636) 677-9790 to schedule your pet’s oral health assessment or dental cleaning.
