Pet Dental Care

Pet Dental Care

Dental health is a crucial element of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can lead to or exacerbate other health issues. Your veterinarian should examine your pet’s teeth and gums at least once a year to look for early signs of a problem and keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Cleaning, adjustment, filing, extraction, or repair of your pet’s teeth, as well as many other areas of oral health care, are all part of Forest Hills Veterinary Clinic’s dental care services.

The procedure begins with our veterinarians performing an oral examination of your pet’s mouth. To assess the health of the jaw and the tooth roots below the gum line, radiographs (x-rays) may be required. A complete dental cleaning and assessment are conducted under anesthesia since most dental disease occurs below the gum line, where it is not visible. Scaling (to remove dental plaque and tartar) and polishing are two procedures that are performed on your pet’s teeth during regular dental cleanings.

Dental Diseases

Dental problems can pose major complications for your pet’s general health, not simply discomfort and “dog breath.” Pets can’t tell us when they’re uncomfortable, and they hide it all too often out of instinct. Regular dental cleanings and oral examinations might thus make a significant difference. Dental disease can impair important organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver if left untreated.

Keep an eye out for the following warning signs of dental disease:

• Bad breath
• Discolored teeth
• Swollen, red gums
• Disinterest in chew toys
• Noticeable pain or discomfort when eating