Dentistry
Cats and dogs often experience dental and periodontal disease, which can cause bad breath, pain, and tooth root infection. Dental disease relates to the tooth, such as plaque and tartar build-up, cavities, tooth fractures, and resorptive lesions. This can lead to periodontal disease, which affects the gums and tissues holding the tooth in the socket. Plaque forms on the tooth surface from bacteria and food decay. If not removed by antibacterial toothpaste, brushing, or diet, it mineralizes and hardens into tartar. Excessive tartar build up can cause redness and bleeding of the surrounding gums, and destroy the attachment of the tooth to its socket. Other conditions, such as tooth fractures, cavities, and resorptive lesions can be very painful and cause irreversible damage to the tooth. Extraction of necessary teeth ensures resolution of the problem.
Home care to prevent tartar and tooth root infection
- Apply chlorhexidine gluconate toothpaste to your pet’s teeth and gumline daily
- Chlorhexidine is an antibacterial agent that kills the bacteria responsible for plaque
- Brush your pet’s teeth during toothpaste application
- Dental treats
- Prescription dental diet
Dental procedures performed in clinic
- Performed under anesthesia to achieve complete care
- Tooth scaling and polishing to remove plaque and tartar
- Dental x-ray to evaluate tooth root health and periodontal disease under the gumline
- Tooth extractions for teeth affected by severe periodontal disease, cavities, fractures, and other destructive processes
- Rabbit and rodent tooth trimming