Because most dental problems in dogs and cats occurs below the gumline, we take full mouth digital radiographs for every patient undergoing a dental procedure. We clean, polish, and apply sealant to teeth. When needed, we do bonding, bone grafts, and perform necessary extractions.
Dogs and cats are prone to developing the same types of dental diseases and problems as humans, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth decay, staining and cavities. The process of dental decay and disease starts every time your pet eats. When your pet eats, food particles get on their teeth and gums. This fuels the bacteria in your pet’s mouth, causing an acid attack on the enamel of their teeth and creating a sticky, clear substance called plaque. If the plaque is left on teeth, it hardens into tartar. When plaque and tartar are left on your pet’s teeth for an extended period of time, it can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, cavities and oral infections.
When it comes to detecting potential oral health problems in pets, owners must be vigilant in noticing changes in behavior. This is because pets often do not act like they are in pain until the pain is severe. If you notice any of the signs below, it is important that you contact us to schedule a dental checkup, teeth cleaning and gum disease treatment.
Untreated periodontal disease in dogs and cats can lead to dangerous infections, like abscesses and blood infections. Advanced dental disease may also affect your pet’s heart, liver and kidneys. In order to avoid these potentially life-threatening conditions, it is important to keep your pet’s teeth clean with a combination of at-home care and regular veterinary teeth cleanings.
Northside Veterinary Clinic recommends that all dogs and cats receive their first dental checkup shortly after they are weaned and at least once a year for every year of their lives. Pet dental checkups include an examination of your pet’s head, neck, face, ears and mouth in order to check for signs of health problems. Once the basic examination is complete, your veterinarian will completely clean all the plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth and below the gum line. Once your pet’s teeth are clean, we can give you tips and tricks to help you remove food particles and plaque at home between professional pet dental cleanings, like pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes as well as dental chews.
To learn more about our veterinary dental services and how they can protect the health of your pet, call us at 718-387-0541 today.
One of the safest ways we have to successfully diagnose tooth abnormalities and other oral health issues is dental radiography. . If our vets notice any indications of tooth decay, misalignment, impaction, or other issues during the exam, an X-ray will likely be taken to accurately diagnose and treat your pet. Issues that are just beneath the surface can often manifest themselves in subtle ways or even in our pet's behaviors that can be difficult to identify. If your pet exhibits any symptoms of discomfort when eating or drinking, has developed foul breath, or their teeth begin to look unhealthy in any way, contact our office to schedule an appointment. It is important to book a dental exam if it has been more than a year since their last dental visit to be sure that there are no potential issues being missed. Dental X-rays are usually taken at every cleaning appointment.
While our team actively encourages you to keep up with and maintain your pet's routine dental examinations and cleaning appointments, this alone is simply not a strong enough fight against tooth decay and other oral issues. The battle for healthy oral hygiene begins and is fought predominantly at home. We understand that cleaning your pet's teeth may be a difficult undertaking, particularly if your pet gets anxious or dislikes the process entirely. Our experienced veterinarians can introduce you to a variety of many oral health products that make caring for your pet's dental hygiene simple and stress-free. We can recommend easy solutions to get you started such as tartar and plaque-busting treats, toys, rinses, and more. If you've recently brought a new animal home, the earlier your pet is introduced to a dental health routine, the more likely it is that their anxiety towards the process will diminish over time.
Phone: 718-387-0541
