Pet dental care is important. While pets typically don’t need their teeth brushed twice a day, every day, like humans, they still need brushing. Just as people need to see a dentist regularly, your pet should see a veterinarian and receive a pet dental health exam. If you live in or around Statesboro, contact our veterinarians at Westside Vet for a pet dental health checkup. Let’s look at a few of the questions that we run into regarding pet dental care.
Why Is Pet Dental Health So Important?
Pets rely on their teeth day in and day out. They need teeth to chew their food. If they suffer from a mouth infection or their teeth get damaged, it could cause a tremendous amount of pain. It may also make it difficult for your pet to eat.
Dental issues can make your dog, cat, or other pet more irritable. This can lead to scratches, growling, and more. Our veterinarians will clean your pet’s teeth using toothbrushes and toothpaste that is safe for pets. We also scrape off plaque and tartar. Furthermore, we will check for serious health problems, like gum disease, cavities, and more.
What Pet Dental Health Problems Do Vets Check For?
Just like a dentist, veterinarians can identify a wide variety of oral health problems. Veterinarians perform a visual examination to check for gum disease, cavities, and the early signs that cavities may become a problem. For example, excessive tartar and plaque build-up would be a major concern.
Our veterinarians have other tools at our disposal as well. We can use x-rays to evaluate your dog’s dental health. X-rays allow veterinarians to check under the gum line, examine the jawbones, and look at the joints as well. Inflammation in jaw joints, for example, may cause irritation even if your pet’s mouth seems fine at first glance.
What Are Some Warning Signs to Watch Out for at Home?
It is wise to keep an eye on your pet and its oral health. There are often telltale signs of serious oral health issues that can only be caught through a professional examination but some are noticeable at home. Lingering bad breath is one of the most common and obvious signs that something is wrong. Discolored teeth are another major sign.
Keep an eye out for swelling and inflammation. This may occur in the mouth or around the jaw joints. If your pet seems to be in pain while eating or is avoiding its favorite bone or chew toy, this could be a sign of dental health problems. Lastly, watch for bleeding in the mouth.
Contact Our Veterinarians in Statesboro, GA
Would you like to learn more about pet dental health? Our veterinarians at Westside Vet are here to answer all of your questions and provide quality dental care for cats and dogs. Call our team today at (912) 489-1998 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.
