When was the last time you had your pet’s teeth cleaned? According to the AVMA, pets who have never had a teeth cleaning have signs of dental disease by the time they are three years old. For that reason, Bridgeview Animal Hospital recommends that all pets have a yearly dental cleaning and oral examination.

Gum Disease in Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats are prone to developing the same types of dental diseases and problems as humans, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth decay, staining and cavities. The process of dental decay and disease starts every time your pet eats. When your pet eats, food particles get on their teeth and gums. This fuels the bacteria in your pet’s mouth, causing an acid attack on the enamel of their teeth and creating a sticky, clear substance called plaque. If the plaque is left on teeth, it hardens into tartar. When plaque and tartar are left on your pet’s teeth for an extended period of time, it can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, cavities and oral infections.

Signs of Dental Disease in Pets

When it comes to detecting potential oral health problems in pets, owners must be vigilant in noticing changes in behavior. This is because pets often do not act like they are in pain until the pain is severe. If you notice any of the signs below, it is important that you contact us to schedule a dental checkup, teeth cleaning and gum disease treatment.

• Broken or Loose Teeth
• Discomfort While Eating
• Extremely Bad Breath
• Drooling
• Red Gums
• Staining on the Teeth
• Swollen or Inflamed Gums
• Weight Loss or Loss of Appetite

The Hazards of Untreated Periodontal Disease in Pets

Untreated periodontal disease in dogs and cats can lead to dangerous infections, like abscesses and blood infections. Advanced dental disease may also affect your pet’s heart, liver and kidneys. In order to avoid these potentially life-threatening conditions, it is important to keep your pet’s teeth clean with a combination of at-home care and regular veterinary teeth cleanings.

Pet Dental Cleanings in Niagara Falls

Bridgeview Animal Hospital recommends that all dogs and cats receive their first dental checkup shortly after they are weaned and at least once a year for every year of their lives. Pet dental checkups include an examination of your pet’s head, neck, face, ears and mouth in order to check for signs of health problems. Once the basic examination is complete, your veterinarian will completely clean all the plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth and below the gum line. Once your pet’s teeth are clean, we can give you tips and tricks to help you remove food particles and plaque at home between professional pet dental cleanings, like pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes as well as dental chews.

At Bridgeview ,we have state of the art Dental unit in our dental suit which gives us significant advantages ,both for the health of the animals and the efficiency of our hospital  The dental unit is designed to improve dental care, which is crucial for the overall well-being of pets, especially dogs and cats.

It has many advantages:

1. Improved Diagnostic Capability: our dental suit unit comes with high-speed drills, ultrasonic scalers, and suction devices that enable veterinarians to accurately diagnose and treat dental issues. They help identify problems like tooth decay, fractures, or gum disease early, preventing more serious complications.

2. Efficient Treatment: This machine allow for faster and more precise cleaning, scaling, and polishing of teeth, leading to more thorough dental care. High-speed drills and other attachments also make procedures like extractions or root canals quicker and more effective.

3. Reduced Anesthesia Time: Because this dental unit make procedures faster, animals spend less time under anesthesia, reducing risks associated with prolonged anesthesia, particularly for older or medically fragile pets.

4. Enhanced Patient Comfort: This Modern dental unit is  less invasive and reduce the discomfort pets might experience during and after a dental procedure. This leads to faster recovery times and less postoperative pain.

5. Increased Client Confidence: Having dedicated dental equipment signals to clients that our practice is committed to high-quality, specialized care. This is a big  boost for Bridgeview’s reputation and encourages our clients to seek regular dental treatments for their pets.

6. Better Outcomes: Regular dental care with professional-grade equipment helps prevent systemic diseases caused by poor oral hygiene, such as kidney or heart disease, which can result from untreated dental infections.

This machine in our dental suit is a key investment for improving patient care and operational efficiency in veterinary practices

To learn more about our veterinary dental services and how they can protect the health of your pet, call us at 905-356-5150 today.