Pet Dental Care in Waynesboro, VA
In an added effort to provide your pet with quality care, we offer pet dental services in our veterinary office. While periodontal disease is entirely preventable, when left untreated it can lead to cardiac disease, kidney infection, liver infection, or stroke this is why during your pet’s yearly exam the veterinarian will do a complete oral exam. This will allow us to determine what dental care your pet needs. We will discuss at home dental care and let you know if further care is needed.
If you notice any of the following issues please let us know:
- constant bad breath
- chewing awkwardly or seeming to be in pain when they eat
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Discoloration of the teeth
- Swelling in and around the mouth
Pets can experience many of the same dental issues that humans do, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, necessary tooth extraction, and ultrasonic scaling.
During a dental procedure your pet is placed under general anesthesia for their comfort, a technician will gently clean the surface of the teeth and take note of any issues present, the veterinarian will then assess and do any dental surgery required such as tooth extraction, epuli removal (benign gum growth), etc.
We are also equipped with dental radiography which is used during dental procedures to help us distinguish healthy teeth from those that may need to be extracted, and identify any abnormalities beneath the gums including root damage, tumors and abscesses.
Some simple at home pet dental hygiene tips are:
- Brushing your pet’s teeth as little as one time a week can cut down on 50-60% of tartar build-up.
- Dental products specifically designed for pets, including Oravet and CET, can help protect gums and lessen tartar.
- Dry pet food is better for teeth than canned food; it causes abrasion to tooth surfaces when chewed, helping remove tartar build-up.
- There are many pet toys that support dental health. Buying your pets these toys not only entertains them, but offers a dual purpose in helping clean teeth.
Remember, creating a smooth clean tooth surface makes it more difficult for tartar and plaque to build up!
If you would like to schedule a professional dental cleaning for your pet, call our office to schedule an appointment, and allow your pet to experience a healthy smile!