Why is dental health so important?
Approximately 90% of pets greater than 2 years of age are stricken with some type of dental disease. Some breeds are more predisposed to dental disease than others but it is a key factor in all animals’ overall health and well-being. Poor dental health not only has an effect on your pet’s mouth but also on their entire body. Bacteria from dirty and decaying teeth are routinely entering the bloodstream and can affect the kidneys, liver, and heart. Ongoing dental disease can cause pain, loss of appetite, and discomfort to your pet. To make matters worse, you may not notice the symptoms right away as animals often hide their pain and discomfort. It can be too late for preventative measures once an animal is already experiencing periodontal disease; this means your pet may need a dental cleaning or care under general anesthesia. Anesthesia must be used in animals as even the best-behaved pet would not be comfortable and able to remain still for a full dental cleaning.
What happens during a dental cleaning?
The dental procedure will vary based on the findings of the pre-surgical exam. Some common procedures performed during the dental work include; X-rays, extractions, probing, scaling, and polishing.
