Dental Care for Your Pet

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society an astounding 80% of Dogs and 70% of Cats show signs of dental disease by age 3!

Just as we brush our teeth everyday and have routine check ups at the dentist, so should our pets.  A yearly exam for your pet should include an oral exam to assess the amount of tartar build-up, any signs of gingivitis (inflamation of the gums) and any abnormalities such as broken or worn teeth, abcesses and tooth resorption to name a few.

At Anderson Lakes Animal Hospital we like to encourage Prevention!  All it takes is starting out slow and simple.  Introduce your pet to tooth brushing.  Make sure to use pet friendly tooth paste, and a soft bristled brush/finger brush or even a gauze square. 

Never force your pet into tooth brushing.  Make it a positive experience.  Pet toothpaste is often flavored, so its like getting a treat!  Let them taste it before trying to brush. 

You do not have to brush the inside surface of the teeth.  The outer surfaces tend to accumulate tartar more readily. 

If your pet already has moderate to severe tartar build up or signs of gingivitis, we recommend scheduling a dental cleaning.  This procedure does require sedation, for this reason we require patients to have prescreening labwork and a full physical exam before going under anesthesia. 

Before, during and after the procedure your pet will be monitored by a Certified Veterinary Technician.  The process is overseen by a doctor as well.

If you feel your pet is showing signs of possible dental disease please call our office to schedule an appointment. 

Sign include:

Foul smelling breath

refusal to eat

chewing on only one side

swollen face (on one side or both sides)

visual tartar accumulation

bleeding gums

dropping kibble or swallowing kibble whole

Pets are stoic creatures, they are hard wired for survival.  A majority of pets will never show you signs of dental disease.  Thats why yearly physical exams are crucial!

Here's some examples of pets with dental disease before and after a professional cleaning.

Before

After

Before

After