Vet Dentist in Edgewater
Comprehensive Cat & Dog Dental Care in Edgewater
Fitting regular dental care in your cat or dog's routine is a critical part of their oral and overall health and sadly most pets don't receive the proper oral hygiene care they require to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Our vets at Animal General in Edgewater provide all the comprehensive dental care dogs and cats need to have excellent oral health, including dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, dental X-rays and surgeries.
Our staff provides dental health education to all pet owners to teach them how to implement at-home dental care for their pets.
Pet Dental Surgery at Animal General in Edgewater
We know it's hard learning your pet requires dental surgery, that's why we aim to make this process as stress-free as possible, for both you and for your furry companion.
Our team will do everything they can to make sure your cat or dog's time with us is easy and comfortable. We describe every step of the process to you in full detail prior to the procedure, including the requirements for preparation and post-operative care.
Dental surgeries we offer for cats and dogs include jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams in Edgewater
Your pet's dental check up is like taking them to a cat/dog dentist. You should bring them in for a dental examination at least once a year, pets that are more prone to dental conditions might have to see us more frequently.
The Animal General vets are able to assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in both cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you see any of the symptoms below in your pet, bring them in for a dental checkup.
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Discolored teeth
- Assessment
We will complete a thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment for your pet prior to the dental exam.
We will take blood to make sure it's safe for your cat or dog to undergo anesthesia. We might also conduct additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG.
When your pet is under anesthesia, we will perform a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
Next, we clean and polish their teeth (including under the gum line) and X-rays are also taken. We then apply a fluoride treatment to every tooth.
The last step is to apply a dental sealant to keep plaque from attaching to the enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is discovered, your veterinarian will create a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
We suggest scheduling a follow-up examination two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
At this visit, our vets will discuss implementing an at home teeth brushing routine. We might also recommend products that will help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Following are some of the most frequently asked questions our patients ask about dental care for their pets.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Cats and dogs can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral health, just like humans.
When our pets eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if it is not brushed away routinely.
This can cause infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. This makes regular dental care an essential part of preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Behavior can be an indication of oral health problems in your cat or dog. If your pet has dental problems they might drool excessively ( drool might contain pus or blood), paw at their mouth or teeth, excessively yawn, grind their teeth, or stop grooming sufficiently.
Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Sometimes the pain pets feel may even keep them from eating. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Other than causing problems like cavities, bad breath and severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas of your pet's body.
Cysts or tumors can also develop, or your pet might not feel well in general. In addition, diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten your cat or dog's lifespan and cause them significant pain.
That's why regular dental care is so important to your pet's physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
At your cat or dog's routine oral exam, your vet will examine your pet's mouth and look for any oral health conditions or symptoms that need treatment.
The veterinarian will clean tartar and other debris from your companions teeth. If they find cavities, gingivitis, or another condition that has to be addressed, your vet will explain all the details to you and provide advice on the actions you should take.
Sometimes your pet will require surgery to have a serious condition treated. We will give your pet anesthesia before their dental procedure starts to make sure they are comfortable and don't feel any pain. Although, they will need special care after the surgery.
If you see your pet experiencing any of these symptoms, book a dental appointment with us.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
You should brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis at home, as well as, give them dental chew toys to help eliminate plaque.
Don't allow your pet to chew on things that could damage their teeth, such as bones, toys or objects that are too hard. Always contact your vet if you have any questions or concerns about your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Pet's don't understand what is happening during dental procedures, and they can react to dental procedures by biting or struggling.
Our vets at Animal General in Edgewater provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures, putting less stress on your cat or dog. This lets us X-ray their mouth as needed. The anesthesia we use is similar to what dentists give to their nervous or anxious human patients.