Just like people, pets need their teeth and gums regularly examined and cleaned. While pet owners remember to take their pets to wellness exams, unfortunately, pet dental care might fall by the wayside. At North Heights Veterinary Clinic in Appleton, WI, we're here to help! Regularly checking your pets’ teeth and gums can be a great way to help guarantee optimal overall health. Whether your pet is in need of a dental cleaning or you're working to learn more about what you can do to support your pet's dental health at home, we've got you covered. Let's examine pet dental care in more depth to understand just how important it is to the health of your pet.
Why Is Dental Care Important?
Pets use their teeth for everything. Pets use their teeth to both carry things and eat, so it is vitally important that pets have healthy, clean teeth. Since your pet isn't able to communicate tooth pain to you in the same way that a human would be able to, some pet dental problems may go unnoticed until major symptoms begin to set in. Open wounds and broken teeth are a perfect site to attract dangerous bacteria, and handling these problems before they become larger issues is a great way to keep your pet healthy. Regular dental cleanings can save your pet from dealing with pain and a loss of appetite related to dental conditions.
What Can Dental Care Treat?
In addition to providing preventative care services for your pet, a dental care appointment can help treat broken or diseased teeth. If a tooth is broken, not only is it painful for your pet, but it is a perfect site to invite dangerous bacteria into your pet's body and blood stream. Diseased teeth can also spread to otherwise healthy teeth if not properly treated, leading to more extensive dental treatments or other health problems.
Further, a pet dental exam can help clean in and around the gums. Just like people, pets are susceptible to gingivitis, a degenerative gum disease. With proper cleanings, your pet can help manage the impact of this disease. At your pet's regular wellness visit, we'll talk with you about the health of his teeth and make recommendations on the best ways you can keep your pet's mouth healthy and strong.
What Should I Expect at a Pet Dental Cleaning?
Your pet will likely have to undergo light anesthesia for the health and safety of both your pet and the veterinarian during the cleaning. Our veterinary staff will talk with you about pre-care instructions to make sure that your pet is ready to safely receive anesthesia, as well. Your pet will be sleepy, relaxed, and comfortable throughout the entire cleaning process (and for a few hours afterward as well).
While cleaning, the vet will be able to fully clean and treat any signs of infection or broken teeth far more easily than they would be able to do if your pet were awake. Following the exam, a veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic to help treat any possible infection. Further, your pet may have a restricted diet following the cleaning if there was extensive repair work completed. Your veterinarian will go over the cleaning and/or treatment with you and explain any aftercare instructions for your pet.
Get Veterinary Care and Pet Dental Care from a Veterinarian Near You
We are passionate about dental care at North Heights Veterinary Clinic in Appleton, WI. Our team of knowledgeable and caring veterinary professionals is happy to help keep your pets’ teeth and gums healthy and to promote a lifetime of overall health. To learn more about how we can help clean your pet's teeth, or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (920) 739-7816. Visit us for veterinary care and pet dental care from a veterinarian near you.
