Joanna Wilson
Dental cleanings, like visits to the veterinarian, should be part of your pet’s regular care. Cleanings aid in the detection and prevention of periodontal diseases, which affect the gums and bones that keep the teeth in place. These disorders can harm your pet’s internal organs as well as his mouth if left untreated.
When plaque and tartar build up beneath the gums, periodontal disease, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, can occur. Periodontal disease is a potentially painful condition that could cost your pet his teeth. If the bacteria that formed the plaque get into your pet’s blood, they might cause problems with their heart, lungs, and kidney.
The danger of sickness varies according to the size of the animal. “A big-breed dog has a lower risk of periodontal disease than a smaller dog. A dog’s mouth has 42 teeth, while a cat’s mouth has 30. There is competition for bone space in a smaller mouth, which can contribute to disease “Barden Greenfield, DVM, DAVDC, agrees. He is the proprietor of Your Pet Dentist in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a specialist in pet dentistry and oral surgery.
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Periodontal disease can be avoided if your veterinarian detects symptoms early, which can only happen during a dental cleaning. Annual cleanings for cats and small to medium-breed dogs should begin at the age of one, and for larger dogs at the age of two, according to the American Animal Hospital Association.
It’s not just about cleaning your pet’s teeth throughout the operation. A complete examination and X-rays are also performed by the veterinarian. “About three out of ten dogs and four out of ten cats have disease behind their gum line that can only be diagnosed by X-ray,” adds Greenfield.
Your pet will be sedated with general anesthesia, which may sound frightening, but a thorough pre-exam will ensure that your pet is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. While bad anesthesia reactions are exceedingly rare, they can vary from minor irritation where the anesthetic is given to significant allergic reactions and even death. However, only approximately one out of every 100,000 animals exhibits any kind of reaction.
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Follow your veterinarian’s advice for fasting your pet before anesthesia to help reduce risks. When your pet is drugged and has food in his system, he may vomit, resulting in choking, pneumonia, and death.
The cost of a veterinary dental cleaning varies depending on where you live and what your pet requires. Pet owners, on the other hand, will almost certainly pay more than they would for their own teeth to be cleaned. Aside from anesthetic, cleaning dogs necessitates more equipment, staff, and time.
But, as Greenfield points out, the reward is well worth the effort. “With better veterinary dental treatment, pets live longer.”
Following the cleaning and polishing, your veterinarian may administer a substance to help prevent or delay plaque buildup in the future. Brushing your pet’s teeth and providing him Veterinary Oral Health Council-approved dental chews are among the home care suggestions you’ll learn.
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