Healthy teeth and gums are not just about fresh breath; they’re also essential for overall health and longevity. Just like humans, pets can develop dental diseases that cause pain, infections, and even systemic health problems if left untreated.
Modern pet dental services offer specialized treatments designed to restore and maintain oral health for dogs and cats. These treatments not only prevent long-term complications but also enhance your pet’s comfort and quality of life.
Below are 5 dental treatments that you can avail from professional veterinary clinics, each focusing on preserving the oral hygiene and well-being of your pets. Read on!
Professional Dental Cleaning
Professional cleaning is essential for pet dental care. Even the most attentive owners cannot remove all the plaque buildup with regular brushing at home. Over time, bacteria accumulate on the teeth and gums, leading to inflammation, bad breath, and other diseases.
Professional pet dental services remove these deposits safely and effectively. During this procedure, they use specialized tools to scale and polish the teeth, removing tartar above and below the gumline. This process is performed under anesthesia to ensure that your pet remains still and comfortable.
Professional cleaning also gives the vet an opportunity to examine the mouth for early signs of disease, loose teeth, or oral growths. Detecting these issues early prevents them from developing into serious health threats.
Tooth Extractions for Damaged or Infected Teeth
Despite the best preventive efforts, some teeth may become too damaged or infected to save. In such cases, tooth extraction becomes necessary to relieve pain and stop the spread of infection. Tooth decay, fractures, and severe periodontal disease are common reasons veterinarians recommend extractions.
Before proceeding, the vet will perform dental X-rays to assess the tooth roots and surrounding bone structure. This step ensures that the extraction is both safe and necessary.
After extraction, pain management, soft food, and antibiotics like ampicillin trihydrate for bacterial infections ensure a smooth recovery.
Periodontal Therapy for Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is one of the most common conditions seen in veterinary dental practice. It starts with simple red, swollen gums, but can quickly progress to deep infections that damage bone and ligaments around the teeth.
Periodontal therapy focuses on treating this disease at its root. It involves deep cleaning under the gumline to remove bacteria and plaque trapped in pockets around the teeth. Advanced cases may require root planing to smooth the tooth roots, allowing the gums to reattach and heal properly.
Dental X-Rays and Oral Diagnostics
Many dental problems in pets are hidden beneath the gumline, invisible to the naked eye. That’s where dental X-rays come in. These diagnostic tools allow veterinarians to examine the roots of teeth, surrounding bone, and jaw structure for abnormalities.
Dental X-rays are an important component of comprehensive pet dental services. They reveal conditions such as root abscesses, bone loss, or even tumors that may otherwise go undetected. By identifying these problems early, veterinarians can create an appropriate treatment plan.
Restorative and Orthodontic Treatments
Advancements in veterinary dentistry have made it possible to offer restorative and orthodontic treatments similar to those in human care. These procedures aim to restore the structure, function, and appearance of damaged teeth, ensuring your pet maintains a healthy mouth throughout their life.
Restorative treatments include fillings, crowns, and bonding procedures used to repair cracked or worn teeth. For pets that suffer from tooth fractures due to chewing hard objects, these restorations prevent further damage and infection.
