The Importance of Dental Care For Cats & Dogs
Routine dental care can help preserve your pet's oral health, yet it is often neglected resulting in poor oral health.
Our veterinarians often see dogs and cats who are experiencing conditions like periodontal disease, broken teeth, bad breath and more due to a lack of dental care. When not addressed, these issues can develop into infections and have a serious impact on their overall health.
At Smith Veterinary Hospital, we offer a range of dental care services for pets, from routine care such as dental exams, teeth cleanings and polishing, to dental X-rays and surgical procedures.
Teeth Cleaning & Examinations
Annual dental examinations and cleanings are vital to your companion's oral health. Detecting oral health issues early can help prevent your pet from experiencing pain or discomfort due to issues such as tooth decay, broken teeth or periodontal disease.
Regular cleanings help keep the mouth healthy by removing plaque and tartar that could result tooth decay or gum disease.
A pet dental appointment typically involves the following:
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Pre-Anesthetic Assessment
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before the dental exam.
Anesthesia is used to keep your pet still and comfortable, allowing your veterinarian to perform a thorough cleaning and examination in a relaxed environment. It can prevent injuries from sharp tools caused by unexpected movements and/or aggressive reactions from dogs or cats who might be confused and stressed.
We will perform blood and urine analyses to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
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Administering Anesthesia
When being placed under general anesthesia, your cat or dog will have an IV inserted which will allow for the delivery of the medication. This IV will also be used throughout the procedure to keep them hydrated and allow us to easily administer other medications as needed.
Once your pet is unconscious, a breathing tube will be inserted to keep your pet's airway open and your veterinarian will begin monitoring vitals such as the heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels using various tools available in our hospital.
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Oral Examination & Cleaning
Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete, tooth-by-tooth, oral examination and charting. Their teeth will cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and x-rays may be taken. We then apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth, as well as dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel.
If any oral health problems are discovered, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan, which may include dental surgery, and discuss it with you.
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Follow-up Exam & Home Care
Your veterinarian may recommend a follow-up examination be scheduled two weeks after the initial appointment.
During this visit, we will conduct a quick examination of your pet's teeth. This is done to evaluate the success of the dental cleaning and to spot any signs of continued or worsening symptoms. We will also speak with you about how oral hygiene is going at home, offer advice and discuss the next steps as needed.
Dental Surgery for Dogs & Cats
Our Thornhill veterinarians perform dental surgery for cats and dogs when required, including jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and treatment for periodontal disease.
Learning that your feline or canine companion requires dental surgery can be stressful. Our team is here to offer support and education to help make this process as stress-free as possible, for you and your pet.
We will sit down with you to discuss each step of the surgery and what you can expect, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
Your pet will be provided with anesthesia before their dental surgery to ensure they are comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure.
Signs of Pet Dental Health Issues
If you observe these signs in your pet, please contact our team to schedule a dental appointment:
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Drooling
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Dropping food from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Abnormal chewing
- Discoloured teeth
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
You may have questions about how to keep your cat or dog's teeth clean and healthy.
To learn more about pet dental care, read through our answers to these frequently asked questions from our clients.
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Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Your dog or cat may develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral hygiene habits. When animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not cleaned away regularly.
Annual dental cleanings can prevent plaque and tartar buildup, in turn helping to prevent dental health problems such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth.
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How often does my dog or cat need their teeth cleaned?
We recommend that most dogs and cats have their teeth cleaned yearly, during their regular dental checkup. Pets more prone to dental problems than others may require more frequent appointments.
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What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
As well as causing problems such as cavities, bad breath and periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions may lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.
This is because bacteria are at the root of these dental conditions, and if left untreated, they will eventually enter the bloodstream resulting in infections that can damage vital organs.
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What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
Brushing your pet's teeth regularly and providing dental chew toys can help control the buildup of plaque. Your veterinarian will be able to provide advice on other ways that you can help to keep your dog or cat's teeth clean and healthy between visits.
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Why does my pet require anesthesia for their dental appointment?
Dental procedures can be frightening for your dog or cat. This is because they don't understand what is happening, and will often react by struggling or biting. Using anesthesia puts less stress on pets and allows us to examine their mouth safely.
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What dental issues may require dental surgery as treatment?
Dental health issues which may require dental surgery include cracked or broken teeth, tooth decay, severe gum disease (periodontitis), jaw fractures, TMJ (temporomandibular joint), luxation, or dysplasia feline stomatitis.