Pet Dental Cleanings: The Importance of Anesthesia
Whether we do it or not, every year we should be venturing to the dentist’s office and receiving our dental check-ups. While you have a
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Oral care in dogs and cats is often overlooked, but taking care of your pet’s teeth is a crucial part of ensuring they live a long and happy life! It is essential to maintain your pet’s oral health to keep your furry friend healthy for years to come. Veterinary dentistry encompasses all of the aspects of oral medicine and veterinary science to treat your pet’s teeth properly. From cleanings, repairs, extractions, and more, veterinary dentistry works to make sure your pet has great oral health for a clean mouth.
As a vet in Colorado Springs, Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic has extensive experience working with pets to provide the best oral care services across Colorado. Our expertly trained veterinarians and veterinary staff work with dogs and cats to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. No matter if your pet needs a routine cleaning, a tooth extraction, or dental surgery, the compassionate vets and staff at Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic will work with you and your cat or dog to ensure you understand exactly what needs to be done to keep your furry friend in great health!
Veterinary dentistry is the branch of veterinary medicine concerned with the health of your pet’s mouth. The oral health of your dog or cat plays an important role in the overall well-being of your pet. Just like us humans, pets can have dental problems. This is why your pet’s teeth and gums must be checked by a veterinarian each year to keep them healthy. Veterinary dentistry includes all aspects of oral healthcare, such as cleanings, adjustments, filings, extractions, repairs, and oral surgeries for your dog or cat.
Your dog or cat should have their teeth and gums checked at least once a year by a veterinarian to ensure your pet’s mouth is in a healthy condition. Keeping your pet healthy means taking care of their oral health. Routinely taking your pet to the veterinarian to have their teeth and gums checked is the best way to catch early signs of any dental problems.
If you notice that your pet has changed their behavior suddenly or you observe your dog or cat with any swelling around their mouth, you should take your pet to your veterinarian to get their mouth examined. Other problems that would require a veterinarian to check your pet’s teeth and gums include:
Pets can experience the same type of dental problems as humans. While cavities are less common for dogs and cats, your pet may have other types of dental problems that need to be addressed by a veterinarian. For example, your pet can develop dental problems such as:
Staying on top of your pet’s oral health is the best way to catch any problems early so your furry friend can live a long, happy life. Dogs and cats need their teeth and gums examined at least once a year to ensure their mouth is in the healthiest state. When you take care of your pet’s mouth, you have the best chance of catching any dental problems early on.
Your veterinarian will work with you and your pet to promote the best possible oral health for your dog or cat. Keeping your pet’s mouth clean with veterinary dentistry is the best way to prevent health problems in the future and maintain the well-being of your pet.
At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, our mission is to provide compassionate veterinary dentistry services while empowering pet owners. Our expertly trained veterinary staff is here to work with you and your pet to provide the best and most transparent information possible so you can make the best dental care decisions for your dog or cat. One of the ways Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic empowers pet owners is by providing the highest quality educational resources in our blog, including everything you need to know about the oral health of your pet!
Whether we do it or not, every year we should be venturing to the dentist’s office and receiving our dental check-ups. While you have a
Dental care for us humans can be pretty straight forward—brushing teeth regularly, going to check-ups, and even flossing. But for our dogs and cats, things
There aren’t many things in this world that are much better than the delighted smile of your dog. Much like humans, it is important to
ROUTINE DENTAL CLEANINGS
It is vital to schedule annual, or even semi-annual, dental exams and cleanings depending on your pet’s breed. Routine dental cleanings consist of bloodwork to ensure safety, x-rays to check for diseases and misalignments, anesthesia administration as recommended by the AAHA, thorough scaling and polishing, and careful monitoring throughout the appointment. The goal of routine dental cleanings is to promote preventative care and address any dental concerns before disease progression occurs.
PERIODONTAL THERAPIES
Dental diseases impact your pet’s teeth and surrounding gums, but periodontal therapies help protect your pet from the perils of periodontal disease through guided tissue regeneration in order to avoid tooth extraction. As a veterinary clinic that believes in empowering pet owners throughout Colorado Springs with powerful knowledge, we may recommend at-home periodontal therapy instructions that require a great deal of diligence in order to provide the best possible outcome for your pet’s dental health.
FLUORIDE TREATMENTS
Fluoride is an anti-plaque substance that is now safe for pets when administered by a professional in order to strengthen and promote dental health. Fluoride treatments help prevent plaque buildup.
EXTRACTMENTS
If preventative care was not administered in a timely manner and periodontal disease progressed in your pet’s gums, then tooth extractions may occur. Extractions are completed safely under anesthesia and typically occur when 50% bone loss or more occurs in your pet’s teeth. During an extraction, your pet’s vitals will be closely monitored and medications may be prescribed after the procedure to enhance your pet’s comfort.
Ultrasonic Scaling and Polishing
Ultrasonic scaling is a routine dental procedure that removes tartar and plaque found on the surface of teeth by first administering anesthesia to ensure safety and effective deep cleaning methods.
Equip You With At-Home Care Tools
Prevention between routine dental appointments is key to maintaining your pet’s oral health. Daily brushing and VOHC approved products will aid in the prevention process.
As a veterinary clinic in Colorado Springs, Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic knows just how vital it is to take care of your pet’s teeth and gums. Staying on top of your furry friend’s oral health is the best way to ensure your dog or cat lives a healthy life. Just like humans, your pet can suffer from dental problems that require the specialization of veterinary dentistry. From a filing, extraction, or oral surgery, your pet requires the same level of care that you put into keeping your mouth clean and hygienic.
At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we are passionate about providing the highest quality dental services as well as educating pet owners about the importance of keeping your pet’s mouth healthy. Our goal is to provide all of our patients with the best and most compassionate care. We will always be transparent with you so you can understand exactly what type of dental care your dog or cat needs to be healthy. At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, you can place your trust in our expert veterinarians and staff that we will treat your dog or cat as one of our own pets. With our extensive veterinary medical knowledge, we will work with you and your furry friend to promote excellent and healthy oral health. That is the difference at Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic.
