Dental care is often overlooked when it comes to our pets. It’s one of the most diagnosed problems but can easily be prevented. Common clinical signs that your dog may have something wrong with its mouth include changes or lack of appetite, bad breath, red and swollen gums, pawing at the face, excessive drooling, and depression.

What types of canine dental care services are offered at your hospital?

We do anesthetic dental cleanings (scaling and polishing), extractions, radiographs, and sealants.

How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?

Ideally, a dog’s teeth should be brushed daily. It takes 24 hours for plaque to turn to tartar, which has to be scaled off.

Why is oral and dental health important?

Poor oral hygiene in dogs can result in the development of tartar on the surface of the tooth which traps bacteria and causes irritation to the gums. This irritation and infection can lead to painful bone loss around the tooth root and possibly tooth root abscesses. Progressive infection and bone loss may cause further damage to the skull bones and jaw, or cause recurrent nasal infections. Poor oral hygiene can also affect the general health of the rest of the body and can be the cause of health issues including heart disease, kidney disease, complications for diabetic animals and more.

Providing and maintaining good oral health involves:

• Brushing your animals’ teeth
• Feeding them high-quality diets
• Having annual health exams with your veterinarian
• Avoiding hard chews, such as bones, that will wear down their teeth