One of the best ways to preserve your pet’s overall health and add years to their life is to provide consistent dental hygiene. Surprisingly though, dental care is one of the most neglected aspects of pet health care. Health Care for Pets Hospital provides full mouth digital radiography, cleaning, polishing, and charting each tooth. We examine the oral cavity, and the doctor will perform extractions, when necessary. Patients are under general anesthesia for all dentistry procedures so that we can be thorough and complete any treatment necessary, and for their comfort.
We encourage maintaining healthy teeth and gums to keep your pet from developing dental disease that can progress and lead to serious complications if left untreated. As with people, oral disease in pets begins with bacteria in the mouth that harden and form plaque that adhere to teeth. If not removed through regular care and cleaning, these bacteria will accumulate, harden into tartar, and can lead to the development of gingivitis and periodontitis. The resulting inflammation of gingiva and periodontal tissues gives these bacteria access to the body, and they can seriously affect the kidneys, heart, liver, brain and lungs.
We recommend regular dental checkups and cleanings at least every 1 to 2 years in most cases. Some pets, however, require more frequent cleanings. Brushing your pet’s teeth at least every other day, and using VOHC approved products are important recommended home dental care habits.
Digital Dental Radiography
With the added advantage of regular screenings using digital dental radiology, our veterinarian can locate potential problem areas. Dental x-rays enable us to identify tooth root changes (like abscesses) and alveolar bone loss, and it gives us the opportunity to discover teeth that are painful or require extraction.
If you notice your pet exhibiting any of the following conditions, don’t hesitate to give us a call:
- • Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- • Bad breath
- • Bleeding from the mouth
- • Broken or loose teeth
- • Gum recession and/or gum swelling
- • Pain in or around the mouth
- • Pawing at the face or mouth
- • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- • Swelling of the face
- • Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
- • Weight loss
- • New chattering of teeth or jaw trembling
Health Care for Pets Hospital provides dental health care services and screenings to pet owners in Mills River, Hendersonville, Fletcher, Brevard, Arden, and beyond.