Just like you, your dog needs regular oral care to keep their teeth healthy and pain-free. This includes brushing their teeth daily and scheduling professional cleanings at the vet.
The frequency of dental care depends on your pet’s age, breed, and lifestyle. Smaller dogs and those that eat grain-based diets may need more frequent cleanings than others.
Dental Exams
Most pet parents know that annual physical exams are needed to ensure their pets are healthy and happy. But did you know that pets also need dental care?
Dogs need dental care to prevent the development of gum disease and other oral health issues. These conditions can affect overall health, and can lead to chronic pain and other complications.
How often your pet needs to visit the vet for a dental exam will depend on a number of factors. How old your dog is, the breed and size of your dog, and the recommendations made by their veterinarian are all factors that can help you decide how frequently they should get their teeth cleaned.
Your dentist will check for signs of gingivitis, periodontal disease, bad breath, and other common oral health concerns. They will also assess the condition of your dog’s teeth and discuss any lifestyle factors that could contribute to their dental health problems.
Teeth Cleanings
A dental cleaning is a vital part of keeping your dog’s mouth healthy. Like humans, dogs develop plaque and tartar over time that can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease.
If left untreated, these problems can result in bleeding gums, loss of teeth, and other serious health conditions. Regular dental exams by a veterinarian are a must for most dogs.
Ideally, brushing your pet’s teeth with dog-friendly toothpaste and toothbrushes will prevent plaque buildup. Using a gauze-like wipe is another effective and non-toxic way to remove food debris and plaque.
The best dental hygiene routine is a combination of home and professional care. Your veterinarian can teach you how to keep your pet’s teeth clean with simple at-home methods and provide a dental exam and professional cleaning when necessary.
It’s important to start a dental care program at an early age, preferably 1-2 years for small dogs and 2-3 years for large breeds. This allows your pet’s veterinary dentist to identify signs of oral disease, such as loose teeth or tartar, and help prevent more serious issues.
Dental X-Rays
X-rays are essential to identify and assess oral diseases and injuries that may be hidden under the gum line. Dental X-rays also reveal the health of tooth roots and surrounding bone.
Dental X-rays are a crucial part of all veterinary dentistry procedures. Without them, a veterinary dentist can’t accurately evaluate and treat your pet’s teeth and mouth.
Even small dogs need dental care, and they can get more serious dental problems as they age. That’s why yearly dental exams and cleanings are recommended to keep your dog’s mouth healthy.
Dental X-rays can also help determine how healthy your pet’s teeth and jaw bones are. They can show fractures of teeth and jaw bones that need to be removed, as well as cancer.
Extractions
One of the most common surgeries veterinary dentists perform is tooth extraction. It’s a necessary procedure to relieve pain and improve your pet’s health when the teeth can’t be saved.
Tooth extractions in dogs are most commonly caused by periodontal disease, which destroys the bits of tissue that hold each tooth to its underlying bone. Once the attachment weakens, bacteria enters the deeper tissues of the mouth, causing painful abscesses.
A dog’s age and diet also play a role in their dental needs. Older dogs usually require more dental care than younger ones.
The type of tooth, if it has more than one root, and the location of the extraction also impact the final cost. For example, a large molar with multiple roots may be more expensive to extract than a small baby tooth.