Why Dental Hygiene is Important For Pets

The estimation is that nearly eighty-five percent of all pets suffer from periodontal disease within three years old.

Benefits of a Dental Cleaning

Pet dental care is done by a professional. Cleaning removes the visible tartar, plaque, and bacteria under the gums. Potential sources of infection cleansed from the mouth prevent diseases, tooth loss, pain, and possible illness that lead to worse conditions.

What goes into pet dental cleaning?

A veterinarian performs a dental cleaning that removes buildup from teeth and promises for better mouth health. A thorough cleaning is done while an animal is under general anesthesia. It is for the safety of the vet and the pet.

A dental cleaning includes the following:

• Removing tartar and plaque from under the gums
• Pressure on dental sockets to check for dental disease
• Polishing teeth to smooth out scratches to the enamel that attracts bacteria
• Removing tartar and plaque from the teeth’s surface
• Applying dental sealer and fluoride
• Performing X-rays to check for non-visible problems below the gum line
• Repair or remove infected or broken teeth
• Inspecting tongue, lips, and mouth for wounds, growths, or other issues
• Charting progression of present gum or tooth disease

Red Flags — When Dental Cleaning Is Vital

Dental disease is a serious issue in pets. It causes more problems than what is seen. Catching mouth health issues in their early stages prevents more severe problems.

The signs of possible gum and mouth disease:

• Redness
• Bleeding along the gum line
• Dark-colored tarter build-up
• Excessive drooling
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Problems chewing
• Pawing at mouth or face

See TLC for Pets for Quality Veterinary Care

At TLC for Pets, we share in love and concern for all pets. Dental wellness leads to better health. At TLC for Pets in Reisterstown, Owings Mills, we clean, care and treat teeth and gums for both you and your pet’s comfort.