A healthy mouth is an important part of your pet's overall health. At Creekside Vet Clinic, dental care is approached as part of your pet's complete veterinary care, with recommendations based on the individual patient.
Dental disease can develop slowly, and many dogs and cats do not make it obvious when something is wrong with their mouths. A pet may continue to eat normally even when there is plaque, tartar, gum inflammation or disease below the gumline.
During routine examinations, Dr. Jan Crowe evaluates your pet's teeth and gums and looks for changes that may need attention. When dental care is recommended, we explain what we are seeing and why a particular approach may be appropriate for your individual pet.
Every pet's dental needs are different. Depending on your pet's examination and dental findings, care at Creekside may include:
Dr. Crowe considers your pet's age, oral health, medical history and overall condition when making dental recommendations. The goal is to determine what your individual pet needs rather than follow a one-size-fits-all schedule.
Some of the most important dental structures are below the gumline. A tooth can look relatively normal from the outside while problems affect the root or the surrounding bone.
Digital dental X-rays allow the veterinary team to evaluate those areas and gather information that cannot be obtained from a visual examination alone. The findings can help guide treatment decisions, including whether a tooth can be treated or whether extraction is necessary.
Plaque can build up on the teeth and eventually harden into tartar. Once hardened buildup is present, brushing at home cannot remove it. Professional veterinary dental care is designed to address areas that are difficult or impossible to reach with routine home care.
Professional cleaning is followed by polishing to smooth the tooth surfaces. When dental disease is present, treatment may involve more than cleaning alone. Depending on what is found, care may include dental X-rays, periodontal treatment, root planing or surgical extraction of teeth that cannot be saved.
Dental problems are not always obvious. Call us if you notice changes such as:
Some pets can have significant dental disease without showing obvious signs at home. That is one reason regular veterinary examinations are an important part of maintaining your pet's oral health.
Older pets may have accumulated years of plaque, tartar or periodontal disease, making regular dental evaluation especially important. Recommendations for a senior pet should also take the pet's overall health and medical history into consideration.
Dr. Crowe can evaluate your senior pet's mouth and help you understand what dental care may be appropriate for that individual patient.
Learn more about senior and geriatric care at Creekside Vet Clinic.
Professional dental care and home care work together. Regular brushing can help reduce plaque between veterinary visits, although some pets need time and patience to become comfortable with the process.
Depending on your pet's needs, Dr. Crowe may recommend brushing, dental products or other practical measures to support oral health at home. The best home-care routine is one you can realistically maintain for your pet.
There is no single schedule that fits every dog or cat. Dental needs can be influenced by age, breed, genetics, previous dental history, home care and overall health.
The best place to start is with an examination. Dr. Crowe can evaluate your pet's mouth, explain what she sees and help you understand what, if anything, should happen next.
Whether you've noticed bad breath, tartar, changes in eating or something unusual about your pet's mouth, we're happy to help you determine the appropriate next step.
Call Creekside Vet Clinic: (843) 824-8044