Dental Care 

Your pet's dental health is an important part of his overall health. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have oral disease by the age of 3. It is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets. Dental disease is an often unrecognized source of pain in pets.

Common signs of oral disease include:

• Tartar buildup
• Red and swollen gums
• Bad breath
• Changes in eating or chewing habits
• Pawing at the face
• Generalized depression. 

Dental disease causes pain and can affect other organs in the body: bacteria in the mouth can get into the blood stream and may cause serious kidney infections, liver disease, lung disease, and heart valve disease. Oral disease can also indicate that another disease process is occurring elsewhere in a pet’s body. A thorough physical exam combined with appropriate laboratory work can determine if this is the case.

The American Animal Hospital Association recommends regular oral examinations and dental cleanings, under general anesthesia, for all adult dogs and cats. A veterinarian should evaluate your pet’s dental health at least once a year. This is recommended because bacteria and food debris accumulates around a pet’s teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay results in irreversible periodontal disease and even tooth loss. We can recommend and demonstrate preventative measures you can begin at home. 

Oral hygiene is just as important for our pets as it is for our family.

Home dental care coupled with periodic professional dental cleaning helps our pets live longer, happier lives.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Similar to humans, dogs and cats require routine dental cleaning. Northwoods Animal Hospital provides out-patient professional dental cleaning.

Using general anesthesia, our doctor and surgical technician will perform: Examination of the mouth Ultrasonic scaling Tarter removal Sub-gingival cleaning Extractions of diseased or loose teeth Polishing Fluoride treatment  We also use digital dental X-rays when needed, to fully examine your pet’s oral and dental health. Dental radiographs are one of the most important diagnostic tools available to a veterinary dentist. They allow the internal anatomy of the teeth, the roots and the bone that surrounds the roots to be examined.

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