Pet Dental Care
Pet Dental Care In Moody, AL
Dental care is extremely important for your pet. Imagine how it would feel if you never brushed your teeth or visited the dentist. Plaque and tartar build-up on your pet’s teeth which can lead to gingivitis. Regular dental cleanings at Crossroads Animal Hospital will remove plaque and tartar buildup to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Reddened, bleeding gums, difficulty chewing and bad breath are all signs of gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can progress to a more advanced form of periodontal disease, a bacterial infection that, if left untreated, can cause the loss of teeth. The same bacteria causing gingivitis and periodontal disease can be carried into the blood stream and cause damage to your pet’s kidneys, heart, liver and other organs. Dental disease can be painful for your pet as well.
Crossroads Animal Hospital’s Recommended Dental Treatment
An annual dental exam and professional scaling and polishing when needed is recommended to maintain your pet’s healthy teeth and gums. Our preventative dental care treatment includes complete ultrasonic scaling, root planning and polishing. We place your pet under anesthesia and perform a comprehensive oral examination. We examine individual teeth for mobility, fractures, malocclusion and periodontal disease. We remove plaque and tartar using hand instruments and power scaling equipment. We give your pet’s teeth a thorough ultrasonic cleaning and polishing. After professional cleaning, your pet’s mouth with be healthier and pain free.
Included in our professional dental treatment:
- Complete prophylactic ultrasonic scaling, root planning and polishing
- Dental x-rays.
- Minor oral surgery including, but not limited to, tooth extractions, fistula repairs and removal of oral tumors.
- Comprehensive pain management before, during and after any oral procedure that may produce discomfort.
- Monitored general anesthesia through our knowledgeable, well-trained technicians with the aid of digital monitoring for the vital signs.
- All anesthetic patients have a designated technician/nurse assigned to them at all times.
- Administering local anesthesia to all surgical tooth extractions.
- Home dental care instructions and product recommendations.
- A referral network to veterinary dentists and specialists when needed.
At Home Pet Dental Care
Home dental care is important! Our staff will show you how to brush your pet’s teeth at home to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. This is an excellent way to prevent plaque and tartar build-up and promote good oral hygiene. Brushing your pet’s teeth at the same time each day with a pet toothpaste (do not use human toothpaste) and a brushing device (toothbrush, finger brush, gauze on your finger, etc.) is the most effective means of removing plaque from your pet’s teeth. If you have any questions on how to brush your pet’s teeth, please give us a call.
Signs of oral and dental diseases in dogs and cats
If your pet shows any of the following symptoms, please call us to schedule an appointment as your pet may be suffering from painful dental disease:
- Loss of appetite or loss of weight
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
- Your pet shies away from you when you touch the mouth area
- Drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Loss of appetite or loss of weight
If you think your dog or cat exhibits any of these symptoms, please call us at your earliest convenience to arrange for a dental exam for your pet.