When was the last time you had your pet’s teeth cleaned? According to the AVMA, pets who have never had a teeth cleaning have signs of dental disease by the time they are three years old. For that reason, Twinbrook Animal Clinic, Inc. recommends that all pets have a yearly oral examination.
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.
- Broken or loose teeth
- Discomfort while eating
- Bad breath
- Drooling
- Swollen or red gums
- Staining on the teeth
- Interest in food but not willing to eat hard food especially
- Pawing at face
- Subdued behavior
Untreated periodontal disease and broken teeth in dogs and cats can lead to painful infections, like tooth root abscesses, and systemic infections that can 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.
Twinbrook Animal Clinic, Inc. recommends that all dogs and cats receive an annual dental examination. The veterinarian will discuss any problems that are found and what treatments are recommended or necessary. We can give you tips and tricks to help you keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy, like brushing their teeth with pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, using food or water additives, and giving dental chews. If the recommendation is for your pet to have a dental cleaning and/or tooth extractions, we take every precaution with anesthesia as we do with every surgery. Your pet will have full mouth digital radiographs (X-rays) so that we don't miss an abscess, a resorptive lesion or any broken teeth that we cannot see with a routine exam.
To learn more about our veterinary dental services and how they can protect the health of your pet, call us at (724) 898-2300 today.