Many people know that keeping your teeth clean and your gums healthy is an important part of health care. But did you know that dental care is just as important for your pet? If not cared for properly, your furry friend’s mouth will become a home to plaque, tartar, and bacteria, and if left too long, can invite other, much more serious medical problems to their entire body. Periodontal disease is so serious that it can even shorten your pet’s lifetime. Even with this, pet dental care is often overlooked as a component of pet care.
Pathways Animal Hospital hopes to encourage better dental care for all of our patients. We use the most modern dental care equipment available. This includes ultrasonic scalers, dental x-ray, and other tools needed to perform routine dental procedures such as dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and more. If your pet is suffering from a more serious dental problem, such as an abscess, gingivitis, or dental disease, we are ready to offer care and treatment options for those cases as well, even oral surgery if necessary.
Some of the signs that your pet may be experiencing a problem with his or her teeth or gums include, but are not limited to:
- Excessive drooling
- Bad breath
- Pawing at the mouth
- Yellow, broken or missing teeth
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Difficulty chewing
- Obvious pain when touched near the mouth area
- Swelling of the cheek below the eye
