Your pet’s oral health is directly tied to their overall health, so good dental hygiene is important. Dogs and cats benefit from routine dental care at home, but they also benefit from teeth cleanings at our hospital for a full oral assessment and treatment of any existing infection. Dental disease is one of the most common conditions found in adult dogs and cats, but it is also easily preventable with consistent and proper care. Somerset Veterinary Hospital works with you to provide your pet with the personalized dental care they need for optimal oral health and a better quality of life.
Schedule your pet’s next dental checkup with us.
Signs of Dental Disease in Dogs & Cats
Dogs and cats hide their symptoms well, and dental disease may need to advance to a more severe stage before your pet shows any sign of a problem. Once signs appear, your pet may be at risk for systemic infection, tooth loss, and other issues.
Here’s what our veterinarians look for when assessing for dental disease:
- Bad breath
- Discolored/yellow teeth
- Loose or broken teeth
- Excessive drooling
- Reddening/bleeding of the gums
- Difficulty eating (dropping food, chewing on one side only)
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Changes in behavior
What Pet Teeth Cleanings Entail
Somerset Veterinary Hospital takes a thorough approach to pet dental care. We perform professional teeth cleanings regularly, but cleaning the teeth is just one part of the whole process, which includes:
- A full oral examination in which we check all the teeth and look for deep pockets around the teeth
- Full-mouth dental X-rays to check for tooth decay, abscesses, root fractures, and other problems hidden under the gum line
- Scaling of the crowns of the teeth with our ultrasonic scaling instrument
- Root planing to remove buildup below the gum line
- Polishing to smooth away abrasions on the teeth
- Surgical extractions as needed to remove damaged/diseased teeth
- Fluoride treatment
Our veterinarians generally recommend a dental examination for your pet once or twice a year, depending on their needs. We also strongly recommend brushing your pet’s teeth daily and supplementing their at-home care with a proper dental diet, dental chews, and other alternatives. Our animal hospital carries a variety of high-quality pet dental care products, too.