Gentle Dentistry-Keeping Your Pet's Mouth Healthy

February is National Pet Dental Health Month and Cimarron Animal Hospital has some information for you about taking care of pet oral health. Your pet's dental health is important to their overall health. Just like in humans, periodontal disease can cause other issues outside the mouth including problems in the heart, liver and kidneys. Most pets should receive a complete dental exam and teeth cleaning once per year.

Gentle dentistry at Cimarron Animal Hospital is performed under anesthesia. This process allows our veterinarians to perform a complete exam with x-rays, and to clean the teeth thoroughly while reducing the amount of stress and anxiety for your pet.

Signs of Periodontal Disease in Pets

• Bad breath is an indication that there could be a cavity or gum disease happening in your pet's mouth. Although occasional bad breath is common, it shouldn't be chronic or strong.

• If your pet has trouble chewing or has excessive drooling, these could be indications of poor oral health.

• Your pet may have a reduced appetite or refuse to eat. Or they might indicate that chewing is painful, or that their mouth hurts. If this occurs, contact us right away.

• Swelling and bleeding are also indications of periodontal disease in pets.

• Broken or loose teeth are obvious signs that your pet needs dental services. Just as with humans, these can become infected so don't delay making an appointment.

• Finally, you may notice your pet has discolored teeth or that their teeth are covered in tartar. This is a sign that they are definitely in need of teeth cleaning.

What Causes Dental Problems in Pets?

• There are a variety of reasons pets may experience oral health problems. Each of these are important to have examined by the veterinarian.

• Abscessed, or infected teeth can cause major problems and could be caused by broken teeth and roots.

• Gum disease is quite common in pets, and most pets will start to develop periodontal disease starting at about three years of age.

• Sometimes, pets develop cysts or tumors in their mouths that require veterinary care, and could develop into worse conditions.

Preventing Poor Oral Health in Pets

You can help prevent poor oral health in your pet by regularly brushing its teeth. While daily brushing is recommended for the best protection, we know it's not always possible. Brush your pets ' teeth a couple of times each week. If you aren't sure how to brush your pet's teeth, check out this video demonstration from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.

Many treats or toys that claim to help prevent dental decay, don't live up to their promises. Ask our veterinarians what they recommend to help keep your dog 's or cat's teeth healthy.

Scheduling Pet Dentistry

The veterinarians at Cimarron Animal Hospital are experts in pet dentistry and would love to help your pet stay healthy. Contact our office to schedule an appointment!