Pet dentistry involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental diseases in animals. These services are essential for maintaining your pet’s overall health and well-being.
Pet Dental Disease Can Lead to Serious Health Issues
Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in pets. It can cause pain, discomfort, and difficulty eating, which can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. But the effects of dental disease go beyond the mouth.
Bacteria from dental disease can enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs, causing infections and inflammation. This can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, kidney disease, and liver disease.
Early Detection is Key
The key to preventing serious health issues caused by dental disease is early detection. Regular dental check-ups can help identify any potential problems before they become more serious.
At Best Care, we make your pet's oral health care a priority in their routine preventative care. We conduct a visual examination of your pet’s mouth during every physical examination. Our team looks for signs of dental disease, such as discolored teeth, swollen gums, or excessive drooling. If we see such signs in a routine examination, we can discuss further steps to enhance your pet's oral health.
It’s important to be aware of the signs of dental disease in pets so you can seek treatment as soon as possible. Some common signs to look for include:
If you notice any of these signs in your pet, it is important to schedule a dental exam.
If during a dental examination, our veterinary team finds signs of dental disease, or your pet appears to be at risk, we may recommend a professional dental cleaning to eliminate infections. At this stage, a complete dental cleaning is necessary, as brushing alone would not suffice.
A Pet Dental Cleaning Includes:
Pre-Cleaning Exam - Prior to your pet’s dental cleaning procedure, we'll conduct a comprehensive examination of your pet's oral health. This involves dental X-rays to detect any hidden concerns. Additionally, we'll assess for indicators of gum disease, tooth decay, or any other dental issues.
Anesthesia - Anesthesia is necessary for pet dental cleanings to ensure your pet stays calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. It enables us to meticulously clean all parts of the mouth without causing any discomfort.
Dental Radiographs - At Best Care, we perform full mouth dental x-rays with every dental cleaning to fully evaluate each tooth. This allows us to look for tooth root abscesses, bone loss, and lesions in the teeth or surrounding bone that could otherwise go unnoticed.
Scaling and Polishing - Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will begin the cleaning procedure. This typically starts with scaling, where we delicately remove plaque and tartar from the teeth using specialized tools. This ensures thorough plaque and tartar removal from all tooth surfaces. Following scaling, we polish the teeth to eliminate any remaining plaque to create a smooth tooth surface.
Extractions - Occasionally, your pet may need tooth extractions as part of the cleaning process, typically due to significant tooth decay or other dental concerns. We will discuss this with you beforehand and will only proceed with extractions if necessary.
Post-Cleaning Exam - Following the cleaning, we will conduct a follow-up examination of your pet's mouth to ensure thoroughness. We will assess any lingering concerns and may prescribe antibiotics or other medications if necessary. Additionally, we will offer instructions for at-home care to help maintain your pet's dental health.
If during the visual examination, we see signs of poor dental hygiene and possibly dental disease, we may recommend dental radiographs. Dental radiographs, or X-rays, can reveal problems that are not visible to the naked eye, such as tooth root abscesses, bone loss, and impacted teeth.
Radiographs allow our team to make more informed recommendations for your pet’s dental health. X-rays also allow our veterinary team to see the extent of any dental disease and determine the best course of treatment. This can help prevent more serious future health issues.
Due to legal requirements, dental cleanings must be performed under general anesthesia. Many pet owners are concerned about the use of anesthesia during dental cleanings; however, anesthesia is necessary for a thorough and safe cleaning. At Best Care Pet Hospital, all protocols are followed for the safety of your pet and are performed by trained professionals in our fully equipped facility.
It is important to always be conscious of your pet's health. The good news is your pet's dental health care is something you can contribute to and maintain at home. We do our part to help your pet during physical examinations, and it is highly recommended that you also practice proper dental care between your pet’s visits.
We know that you cannot always brush your pet's teeth. We also know that your pet may not let you! As an alternative, there are numerous dental products such as rinses, treats, and chew toys that are designed to help improve your pet’s dental hygiene and break down plaque.
Here are some tips for keeping your pet’s teeth clean between dental cleanings:
We are located on the east side of Sioux Falls, right off I-229. You'll find us near the corner of E 10th Street and Cliff avenue, right across the street from the Drake Springs Family Aquatic Center.
Phone: 605-334-2412
* We are closed the first Saturday of every month.
