I found out a little late but apparently February is National Pet Dental Health Month. This is something I have often thought about being a dog owner. Above is a picture of our beautiful Husky, Loid. He is 8 years old and the vet is beginning to recommend a tooth cleaning for him. I went to the AVMA(American Veterinary Medicine Association) website to learn a little more. I found the answers to many of my questions and I will try to summarize some of what I learned here.
A pet dental exam begins similarly to our dental exams. The vet will examine the pet's mouth for anything out of the ordinary. Then they may take radiographs or x-rays to evaluate the bone and teeth. One of the most common dental coniditions in dogs and cats is periodontal disease or gum disease. That is why a dental cleaning may be recommended for your pet. This is done under general anesthesia. The actual cleaning is very similar to a human cleaning. A cleaning will include scaling either with a cavitron or hand scalers to remove dental plaque and tartar like we do!
The AVMA recommends that your pet's teeth be checked at least once a year by your vet. This can help recognize early signs of a problem and help to keep your pet's teeth healthy.
The AVMA says a few things that might tip you off that your pet needs a dental exam sooner are:
* bad breath
* broken or loose teeth
* visible tartar or discoloration of the teeth
* abnormal chewing or drooling
* change in apetite or refusal to eat
* pain in or around the mouth
* bleeding in the mouth
* swelling in areas around the mouth
Cavities are less common in our furry friends than in people but we do often see similar dental problems.
If you have any questions about your pet's teeth, contact your vet! If you have any questions about your teeth, feel free to stop by our Westerville, OH dental office or call us at 614-882-2249!
