Most of us are well-versed in what occurs when we go to the dentist for a dental cleaning. Bringing your pet to the vet and sending it off to get its teeth cleaned, on the other hand, might create some anxiety due to the unknown.
While there are many parallels between what happens to you and what happens to your pet, there are also a few key distinctions.
Why Your Pets Need Dental Cleanings
Unpleasant oral hygiene is responsible for more than simply bad breath. When plaque on the teeth is not removed regularly, it hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar irritate the gums, which can lead to infection. Tartar, unlike plaque, cannot be removed at home. Tartar necessitates the assistance of a veterinarian.
As the situation worsens, dogs may have dental discomfort, abscesses, gum separation, bone loss that supports teeth, and lose teeth that fall out. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the circulation and cause harm to the kidneys, heart, lungs, and other organs.
What Goes on During Dental Exams?
The first step is to have a dental exam to see if a cleaning is required. Before dental cleaning, your veterinarian will discuss with you what treatments are likely to be necessary. Pre-anesthesia blood tests, as well as an examination of the heart and abdomen, may be performed by your veterinarian to confirm if kidney and liver functioning are acceptable for anesthesia. Anesthesia is required for a tooth-by-tooth examination, which may include dental X-rays.
How are the teeth cleaned?
Following a thorough inspection of your dog’s mouth, teeth scaling will be conducted, removing dental plaque above and below the gums using both manual and ultrasonic scalers. Tartar beneath the gum line is the source of the most serious periodontal disease, thus it must be eliminated.
The teeth are polished after scaling to eliminate microscopic scratches and reduce the pace of plaque build-up.
Following the dental procedure, your pet is attentively observed as it awakens from anesthesia. This entails maintaining it nice and warm as well as preparing it to return home. The majority of pets can return home the same day they get their teeth cleaned. It’s crucial to note that the anesthesia and events of the day may have left them drowsy. Some dogs may experience some discomfort as a result of plaque/tartar removal or tooth extraction. Antibiotics and/or pain drugs may be sent home to finish their therapy, depending on the state of their dental health and what was done.
How often should your dog’s teeth be cleaned?
Most veterinary doctors recommend professional cleanings once a year. Your veterinarian, on the other hand, will examine your dog and recommend the best course of action.
If your pet is older, has significant dental issues, or is a tiny dog breed, they may require more frequent cleanings. Small dog breeds have a reputation for having terrible teeth. Their jaws have shrunk and become congested, causing this. Periodontal disease is more likely a result of their crowded teeth.
You want to take care of oral issues as soon as possible. You are more probable to tackle the issues before it becomes a serious problem for your dog’s comfort and your pocketbook if you contact your veterinarian immediately as you detect your dog’s symptoms. Consult the best veterinarians at San Antonio Spay and Neuter Clinic for dental care of your pets!