Periodontal disease is the most common disease in both dogs and cats. By the time they are three years old 78% of dogs and 68% of cats suffer from this disease.
Periodontal disease refers to any inflammation or infection to the tissues that surrounds the teeth. These tissues include: gums, tooth root, and boney tooth socket. There are 4 stages to periodontal disease which range from mild to severe. The milder forms include the presence of calculus, gum inflammation, and bad breath. The more severe cases are gum, tooth, and bone destruction as well as the spreading of bacteria from your pet’s mouth to the major organs: heart, liver, kidneys. Dental disease is very painful to your pet.
A routine professional dental cleaning involves: tartar removal and polishing the teeth. At NHVH we use safe and modern ultrasonic cleaning of each tooth above and below the gum line. Dental technicians then polish the teeth to create a smooth surface to prepare the tooth for home dental care. An advanced professional dental procedure may include: trimming of excess gum tissue and surgical tooth extractions in addition to the routine cleaning. Safely administered anesthesia is used for all dental cleanings/procedures to ensure your pet’s comfort and allows us to do a complete oral exam.
To maintain a healthy mouth for your pet we recommend continuing home care with the following products:
- Brushing teeth –best
- Oravet chews
- Clenz-A-dent chews
- Greenies
- Dental wipes
