As with humans, dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health. Home dental care can help prevent oral disease, but sometimes it is not enough.
- broken or loose teeth
- bad breath
- extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- discolored teeth or covered in tartar
- abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- reduced appetite or refusal to eat, wight loss
- pain in or around the mouth
- bleeding from the mouth
- swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
Untreated gum disease can cause bad breath, tooth decay, and tooth loss, but once the bacteria gains access to internal organs through diseased gums, more serious health problems like heart, liver and kidney disease may follow.
It isn’t only dogs and cats that need dental care. Ferrets require dental cleanings to prevent the build-up of tartar and plaque. Small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, and rats require regular attention to their teeth. Their incisors and the molars must be ground down to prevent malocclusion, where the teeth grow too long or unevenly. This damages the mouth and tongue, impedes eating, and causes pain to your pets.
Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian to check for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
Oral Health Exams
If you are concerned about your pet’s oral health, it is best to have a veterinarian evaluate the condition of your pet’s mouth. An oral exam is very informative. Even if your pet has never had it, it’s never too late! Deciding to treat any abnormalities will play an important role in assuring the overall health of your pet.
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Professional Teeth Cleaning
Dental cleaning helps remove excess tartar buildup as well as gives your veterinarian a chance to fully evaluate your pet’s oral health and ascertain if there are other possible dental problems, such as periodontal disease. Most veterinarians recommend dental cleanings once per year for dogs and cats. However, some breeds may require more frequent professional cleanings.
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Dentistry and Oral Surgery
Our Animal Hospital of Fairfield team in Fairfield, NJ is trained in advanced dental care, including pet surgical procedures for periodontics (deep pocket surgeries) and oral surgeries. Common pet oral surgeries include: fracture repair, luxated teeth and tumor removal. Our advanced pet dental care procedures include endodontics (e.g. root canals), restorative care, including filings for cavities and much more. Our dental suite is equipped with state-of-the-art dental, anesthesia and monitoring equipment as well as digital dental radiology.
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Feline Dentistry Services
Tooth and gum care is perhaps one of the most overlooked and under-treated problems plaguing cats and it is estimated that 75% of cats over the age of 5 are in need of some kind of dental care. Because cats have been known to “hide” discomfort , it can sometimes be difficult to tell. Cats are subject to many of the same dental problems as dogs, but there are also a few conditions that are unique to cats and require specific care.
Read more about our dental services for cats.
Home dental tips for your pet
By keeping track of your pet’s dental health and actively adding attention to oral hygiene to your pet’s daily routine, you can help stave off disease and infection, and it only takes a few minutes a day.
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