Pet dental care & teeth problems
Dental treatment of
Dogs and cats
At Staris Veterinary Clinic we have the expertise and the proper equipment to recognize and treat dental disease, including problems that are frequently overlooked. We use modern x-ray equipment to perform oral x-rays which ensures we accurately identify all your pet’s dental problems.
We carry out full dental procedures, including:
- Cleaning (descaling)
- Polishing
- Treatment of periodontal disease
- Extractions of infected or broken teeth
- Jaw fracture repair
- Oral cancer surgery
Side effects of
Pet dental problems
Bacteria from infected teeth are released into the pets’ bloodstream. From there they travel to the rest of the body and can cause severe systemic disease. As a result, it is likely to diagnose life threatening diseases at pets with periodontal problems, like bacterial endocarditis.
What are the warning signs of
Dental problems in dogs and cats?
You may not be able to diagnose what teeth or gum problems are present in your dog or cat’s mouth. However, between routine annual teeth cleanings, you could look for some warning signs that indicate that your pet might have a dental problem, such as:
- bad breath
- brown or yellow teeth
- reduced appetite
- reluctance to chew dental treats, dry food, etc
- weight loss
- red or swollen gums
- reluctance to handle him or her around the mouth
- blood noticed around your pet’s mouth or in the saliva or even in the water bowl
- loose or missing teeth
How often should you
Have your pet’s teeth cleaned?
The frequency with which your pet should receive dental cleanings depends on various factors:
- Older dogs and cats need teeth cleaning with an increased frequency, as tartar building increases as your pet grows older.
- Breed and size. Many small-breed dogs have a predisposition to periodontal disease.
- Dogs and cats fed a canned diet will develop more buildup than dogs eating a dry food based diet.
- Chewing activity. Pets that chew more hard materials (special food, toys, bones, etc.) will be less likely to have dental buildup and need less often teeth cleaning as chewing rubs off plaque and calculus.
Don't forget
Your pet's regular teeth cleaning
Usually, it is better to have your pet’s teeth cleaned maybe every year, after a specific age. The age that you should start having your pet’s teeth cleaned and the frequency depends on the factors above, combined with your own pet’s individual characteristics. Some pets don’t need dental cleaning until they’re six or seven years old. However, some other pets — especially smaller breed dogs — need a dental cleaning by the time they’re two years old.