Dentistry

Dentistry

Dental health is an essential part of a pet’s overall health. As a pet parent, it is important to know that dental issues can lead to other health complications. Taking care of your pet’s oral health includes scheduling regular visits to the vet.

At La Jolla Veterinary Hospital, we provide both primary dental care and advanced dentistry services. We believe you owe your pet proper dental care. Here is more information about veterinary dentistry.

Understanding Dental Disease

Dental disease is a term that refers to conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and supporting structures. Studies suggest that 80 percent of canines have some dental disease by the age of three years.

The buildup of plaque on your dog’s teeth can lead to dental diseases, including tooth decay and gum disease. Accumulating bacteria and food particles on the dog’s teeth can have serious health consequences.

Benefits of Dog Dental Care

Good dental care is vital for your dog’s general health. There are reasons to ensure your pet has healthy teeth. They include:

• Preventing teeth loss.

• Preventing oral pain.

• Preventing bad breath.

• To prevent the spread of bacteria that can cause organ damage.
  
  

Regular care of your pet’s oral health will help prevent the worsening of dental disease. Many dogs develop the dental disease early, but you can keep the condition from becoming severe.

Signs of Dental Disease

Several signs can indicate that your dog has dental disease. The signs include loose teeth, broken teeth, chronic bad breath, and bleeding and painful gums. If your pet refuses or is unable to feed or experiences weight loss, it could be a sign of dental disease.

Other signs are excessive drooling, crust along the gum line, and inactivity due to pain. If you notice any of the signs, you need to schedule a visit to the vet.

Keeping Your Pet’s Teeth Clean

Dogs cannot brush their teeth, so your responsibility is to keep your pet’s teeth clean. You need to maintain a good home dental care routine. You can care for your dog’s oral health by brushing its teeth several times a week.

Ensure you use dog-safe toothpaste. Providing dental treats is a convenient way to maintain healthy teeth. The treats are helpful for dogs that resist having their teeth brushed. Get some dental chew toys designed to clean the dog’s teeth and keep the breath fresh.

Professional Dental Cleaning

When plaque remains on the teeth for long, it hardens, becoming plaque. If the tartar gets below the gum line, it can cause inflammation and damage the teeth’s supporting structures. It can also lead to infection, causing pain and severe dental issues. Professional dental cleaning helps remove the tartar.

The process requires anesthesia to allow the vet to clean the entire mouth thoroughly. We will perform a complete physical exam before the cleaning. We will also closely monitor your dog while they are under anesthesia.

Dental diseases may be a common issue in dogs, but you can help keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Look out for changes in behavior that can indicate your pet has dental disease.

For more on veterinary dentistry, visit La Jolla Veterinary Hospital at our office in La Jolla, California. Call (858) 454-6155 today to schedule an appointment.