Tierramesa Veterinary Clinic

Dental Care

 

One of the best things you can do for your pet is to help him or her maintain good dental hygiene. About 80% of all pets over 3 years of age have some form of dental disease. Often the only way to find out is during your annual pet wellness exam. During the examination, we will discuss your pet’s dental condition and make recommendations for keeping your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

 

Recommendations may include daily brushing at home, dental chews or rinses for maintenance. Most of our pets requre an annual dental cleaning to remove the plaque and tartar formed on their teeth. In order to be able to do a thorough and comfortable cleaning, we would have to use general anesthesia. This also anables us to check for any pockets, loose or fractured teeth or any other problems that may need to be addressed. 

 

Whenever we use general anesthesia, whether for veterinary surgery or dental cleaning, we monitor your pet closely at all times to make sure he or she is safe and comfortable throughout the procedure. Depending on the age and condition of your pet, we may recommend a bloodwork beforehand to make sure they are suitable for anesthesia. Pets receiving dental cleaning are typically able to go home in the afternoon

 

We recommend you to be on the lookout for the following signs that your pet may need immediate dental care:

 

• Bad breath

• Yellow, brown, or discolored teeth

• Red, inflamed gums

• Pain when eating

• No longer plays with chew toys

• Loose teeth

 

Ignoring your pet’s dental hygiene can affect your pet’s organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys.