Pet Dental Services

Dental Care For Your Pet

Dental disease affects an estimated 80% of cats and dogs before the age of three. Dental disease is painful, and can be dangerous because the bacteria in the mouth can spread to other areas of the body.

Because pet’s cannot take responsibility for their own oral health, it is the responsibility of their owner’s to prevent dental disease and treat it if present.

Signs Of Dental Disease

Here are some of the common signs of dental disease:

• Bad breath
• Difficulty eating (eating very slowly, or on one side of the mouth)
• Bleeding gums
• Pawing or rubbing of the mouth
• Yellow or brown tartar on the teeth
• Dribbling

If any of these signs are present in your dog or cat, please mention it to your veterinarian. Few or no signs may also be present in some cases of dental disease, so even if you have not noticed any of these signs, please stay vigilant about your pet’s oral health.

At this point you may be wondering, what can I do to prevent dental disease, or stop its spread? Here are some steps to take to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy, strong, and pain-free.

• Make sure that your pet has a dental assessment with a veterinarian at least once a year. At Stevenson Village Veterinary Hospital, dental assessments are performed during routine wellness exams.
• Schedule a dental cleaning for your pet in our office. We recommend yearly dental cleanings for all of our patients to thoroughly remove the tartar from the teeth using an ultrasonic scaler.
• Regularly clean your pet’s teeth using either a toothbrush, dental chews, or special toys designed to help break down tartar accumulation.
• Feed your pet a veterinarian-approved pet food; their regular diet can greatly impact their dental health.