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Dear Pet Owner,
We all know people generally brush their teeth daily. Yet if we are so diligent with our own dental health, why is it so easy to skip taking care of our pet's dental health? Simply answered, most people are not aware how common dental disease is in pets, and they do not recognize its damaging effects or steps that can be taken to help prevent major oral health problems.
Periodontal disease, the inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone around the teeth, including its more severe form - periodontitis, is one of the most common health problems in pets. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that by the time they are three-years-old, more than 85 percent of all pets have some form of periodontal disease.
And because there isn?t a cure for periodontitis, prevention is critical.
Our current recommended course of action may include daily brushing at home, dental diets, the Porphyromonas vaccine, and dental cleanings and treatment with our veterinarians when indicated.
When a pet's mouth hurts, his quality of life may suffer. Investing in your pet's continued dental health is critical to keeping your pet a happy, healthy member of the family.
For more information about your pet's oral health, please call our team at the Saukville Veterinary Clinic at 284-7000 and make an appointment today.
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Dental Care |
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The American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. How is your pet’s dental health?
Dental care can help prevent oral disease in cats and dogs
If your pet has not had a dental cleaning recently, we send you this note as a reminder. We want to help you give your pet the best chance for a healthy, happy life. Call us to schedule a dental exam or cleaning for your pet.
Why is dental care necessary?
Accumulation of plaque and subsequent “bad breath” is just the start of what can happen in your pet’s mouth. Bacteria and mineral deposits accumulate setting the stage for infection. The absorption of bacteria by the inflamed gum tissue allows bacteria to be distributed throughout the body. Bacteria can be filtered out of the bloodstream by the heart valves or kidneys, setting up infection there. In addition, inflamed gums and diseased teeth cause your pet pain and discomfort. Brushing should start early in a pet’s life and can delay the need for dental cleaning. However, just as with people, a thorough dental cleaning will be needed eventually.
What is involved in the cleaning procedure at the veterinary clinic?
Your pet must be under general anesthetic in order to thoroughly examine and clean the 42 adult teeth of dogs and 30 adult teeth of cats. Therefore, prior to administration of the anesthetic, proper screening is undertaken to determine if there are any problems. This may include blood screening, ECG, and sometimes radiographs. Your pet will stay in the clinic the day of the cleaning.
During a professional cleaning, the mouth is first swabbed with antibacterial solution, and then an ultrasonic scaler is used to remove tartar. Each tooth is examined to identify any problems, such as instability of the tooth or enamel deficit. It is at this time that the doctor can determine if any additional procedures or extractions are necessary. Finally, sub gingival (below the gum line) cleaning is done, the teeth are polished and fluoride treatment applied.
What can I do at home to help my pet?
Following this thorough cleaning, your pet depends on you, the owner, to follow-up with home dental care. We would be glad to help you choose products and explain techniques. Regular dental care can lengthen the time between professional cleanings, reduce the chance of tooth loss and improve your pet’s overall health.
Please call us with any questions or to schedule for your pet(s) to come in for an exam or treatment. Thank you from the staff at Saukville Veterinary Clinic 262-284-7000
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