Pet Dental Care 101
Our pets require dental care just like we do, so we recommend that they come in every year for a dental cleaning. Oral health is directly connected to overall physical health, and many underlying conditions can first show signs in our teeth and gums. That is the same case for our pets! By bringing your pet in for a full physical examination and dental cleaning, we are able to detect health issues before they become more serious. Animals are also at risk for gum disease and tooth decay, so proper dental care is essential for their well-being. Check out the three main ways you can care for your pet’s smile below!
Dental Cleaning
We recommend that you bring your pet in every year for a dental cleaning, sometimes more if their smile requires it. Many factors can influence your pet’s oral health including chronic illness, poor diet, and lack of dental care at home. A professional dental cleaning can help to protect your pet’s teeth and gums, and it can potentially prevent tooth loss and infection. Plaque forms on your pet’s teeth due to the foods they eat and the natural bacteria that grows in their mouth. This plaque hardens into tartar and can seriously threaten your pet’s oral health. Tartar leads to dental decay and gum disease, and it can’t be removed through normal brushing. A Chandler dental cleaning is the only way to properly remove tartar from your pet’s smile.
At-Home Pet Dental Care
In a perfect world, we would be able to brush our pet’s teeth every day. However, we understand that it usually isn’t the case for most pet owners. Even brushing your pet’s teeth just a few times a week can truly make a huge difference in their oral health. We recommend using a toothbrush and toothpaste that is specifically meant for pets. Human toothpaste can cause vomiting if ingested by your pet and regular toothbrushes are not the right shape to effectively clean their teeth. Pet toothpastes come in flavors that your pet will love and they aren’t harmful if ingested. For a small dog or cat, a finger brush would be enough to clean their teeth. For larger dogs, a dog toothbrush with a long handle would be ideal for getting those hard-to-reach areas.
Anesthesia
When you bring your pet in for a dental cleaning, we recommend using anesthesia to sedate them for the treatment. This is because your pet has no ability to understand that this sort of treatment is to help them, and they could easily become frightened or spooked. This can lead to growling, biting, or emotional trauma for your pet. Pet Doctor X uses anesthesia to make this process easier both for staff and your pet. It also helps us clean your pet’s teeth more effectively because there is no resistance to treatment. Anesthesia is totally safe for pets, though there is always a minor level of risk. We can talk with you about your pet’s health history and give you a thorough explanation of their personal risk during treatment.
Dental care is so important in order for your pet to live a happy and healthy life. Chandler dental cleanings help to preserve your pet’s teeth and minimize the chance of gum disease. To schedule your pet’s next check-up, call our office at (480) 681-6866. We look forward to helping your pet achieve a healthy and happy smile!