Pets & Teeth

Healthy teeth, happy smiles

Part of the overall healthcare for your pet should include routine dental care for teeth and gums to extend the life of your pet and maintain good oral hygiene. Many pet owners take for granted that the teeth of their cat or dog are fine. Since pets use their teeth for many chewing-related activities we tend to think of their teeth as being stronger and immune to disease. However, pet's teeth need just as much care and attention as a human's, and if you neglect to treat your pet’s teeth they can experience a range of problems including loose teeth, misaligned teeth, periodontal disease, tooth trauma and tooth root abscesses.

It’s not easy to tell if your pet is having tooth problems. Unless you have training diagnosing dental diseases and conditions your pet’s oral hygiene is best left to a trained veterinarian. However, a dog or cat make give off signs that they are not feeling well and that their teeth is the reason why. Not eating, acting lazy and chewing on grass can all be signs that your pet is in pain and if they won’t even take a biscuit or bone it may be because their teeth hurt.

As with people, the longer you wait in having your pet’s teeth check out the worse a condition can become. By taking your pet for regular check-ups you can ensure that any abnormalities will be detected and treated so your dog or cat will recover quickly. Pet dental care will often include digital radiography to assess the condition of your pet’s mouth and teeth above and below the gum line, regular cleaning and polishing and extractions and oral surgery if necessary. Keeping up to date with your pet’s dental care will lead to a healthier and happier life for your dog or cat.