young man at home playing with a big bullmastiff dog. positively laugh

PET DENTAL CARE

PET DENTAL CARE

Is your pet receiving proper dental care? If not, now is the time to get started as it is better late than never!

Dental care is essential to your pet's overall health. Without regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings, your pet can show signs of poor oral care as early as age two. These signs can be bad breath, plaque and tartar buildup, swollen gums, and even tooth loss.

As important as dental care is, it is also difficult to implement a routine for your pet. Our goal is to show you how easy it can be to help your pet's avoid dental disease, gingivitis, pain and tooth loss by providing complete dental care for your pet.

Is your pet showing signs of dental disease? Schedule a dental exam for your pet!

Signs of Dental Disease in Pets

The best way to cure dental disease is to prevent your pet from getting it.  If you see any of the following signs in your pet, schedule an exam with one of our doctors sooner than later so that we can help them get on the road to recovery:

  • Bad breath
  • Swollen, bright red, and possibly bleeding gums
  • Crusty brown or yellow residue along the gum line
  • Dropping food or excessive drooling
  • Eating less or taking longer to eat
  • Not wanting to play with their favorite toys
  • Decreased activity
  • Increased irritability
  • Pawing at their face and/or mouth
Sad golden retriever dog get bored of food.Golden retriever dog laying down by the bowl of dog food , looking at the camera.

Important Dental Care Benefits

Want an easy way to check and see if your pet needs veterinary dental care? Lift up your pet's lip and check their gum line for anything unusual. This could be build-up, discoloration, or swollen gums. If you see anything that needs attention, give us a call. Our dental technology allows us to offer complete dental check-ups and treatment for our patients, and we'll get your pet scheduled for a dental exam and offer a treatment plan that works for both of you!

Your pet will receive a thorough dental examination, complete with x-rays, so that we can get an idea of your pet's tooth health below the gum line. We'll check each individual tooth and look for pockets around the teeth for signs of infection or tooth decay. Each tooth is scaled, both above and under the gum line, to clean away and tartar and plaque build-up. Finally, we'll polish your pet's teeth to make them smooth and lessen the ability for plaque and tartar to build up

Cute Labrador Retriever with toothbrush indoors. Pet care

Implementing an At-Home Dental Care Plan

Brush your pet's teeth at home as often as possible to reduce the amount of food build-up on your pet's teeth. Older dogs and cats may be resistant at first, but with time it will become part of their routine. If your pet is hesitant, you can start getting by having their mouth looked into and gently probing their teeth with your fingers or a toothbrush. This practice will be turned into a healthy habit.

If you have a puppy or kitten, perfect! Now is the time to start!

If brushing your pet's teeth is not an option, veterinary diets can assist you in your pet's oral health. We carry a large selection of dental diets and treats your pet will love. In addition, we can always recommend additional methods to help you keep your pet's mouth clean-dental wipes, water additives, and dental chews. If brushing at home is difficult, it is imperative that your pet be brought into Stoney Creek at least once per year for a dental exam.