Protect Your Pet’s Teeth: Expert Dental Services

Regular professional dental care from your veterinarian, along with daily at-home care, is essential for your pet’s health. Your vet can recommend how often your pet should have professional dental treatments and suggest the best products for at-home cleaning.

Neglecting your pet’s dental health can lead to serious problems, such as periodontal disease, tooth loss, and even organ failure in the heart, liver, or kidneys. Early signs of periodontal disease include red or swollen gums, bad breath, yellow or brown plaque on teeth, bleeding gums, drooling, loose teeth, and changes in eating or chewing habits. Periodontal disease is mainly caused by bacteria in dental plaque—a soft buildup on teeth. Plaque can be brushed away, but if left untreated, it hardens into tartar, which needs professional cleaning. Tartar affects about 70% of cats and 80% of dogs by age three.

A professional dental cleaning, or “prophy,” includes scaling (removing bacteria) and polishing the teeth. This procedure is done under anesthesia by a licensed technician and veterinarian, and is typically recommended once a year to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Before the procedure, blood work is advised to ensure your pet’s liver and kidneys are healthy enough to handle the anesthesia.