Your pet’s oral health will affect his overall health. Dental problems like oral infections and gum disease can weaken your pet’s immune system, making him more prone to health issues. Bacteria from gum disease can even enter your pet’s bloodstream, putting him at risk of developing organ problems. At Parkway Animal Hospital in Grand Prairie, TX, we make dental care readily available to our pet patients to protect their teeth and overall health. Here are the dental care services we provide for your pet.
Dental Exams
Like people, pets should have routine dental exams to monitor their oral health. At this time, our Grand Prairie vet will inspect your pet’s teeth and gums for signs of infection, abnormalities, or gum disease. Periodontal disease is a common dental problem among dogs and cats and can cause damage to your pet’s oral health. Left untreated, your pet could lose his teeth due to periodontal infection.
Dental x-rays are also part of your pet’s dental exam as they reveal hidden problems beneath the gumline, where gum disease can breed. If your pet’s suffering from gum disease or other dental issues, we’ll discuss treatment options with you to help restore his oral health.
Dental Cleaning
Dental cleaning involves cleaning your pet’s teeth to remove plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria that can lead to oral infections and dental disease. We may clean your pet’s teeth above and below the gumline and then polish his pearly whites to leave the surfaces smooth and shiny. How often your pet should have his teeth cleaned will depend on his overall oral health. Most pets can benefit from annual cleaning to keep their teeth and gums in optimal health.
Our Grand Prairie vet at our animal hospital might sedate your pet for dental services to ease discomfort and pain. Using anesthesia makes it easier for us to probe, examine, and thoroughly clean your pet’s teeth without your pet becoming agitated, fearful, or aggressive during dental care.
Signs of Dental Issues in Pets
A change in behavior is often an indication that something is amiss with your pet’s health. This also applies to oral health. If your pet begins to lose interest in food or is having a hard time chewing, it could be due to dental issues. Here are a few more signs that your pet may be suffering from dental problems:
- Tooth discoloration due to plaque or tartar buildup
- Bad breath
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Swelling around your pet’s jaw
- Excessive drooling
- Signs of pain when you touch your pet’s mouth
See Our Grand Prairie, TX, Vet at Our Animal Hospital for Pet Dental Care
To schedule dental services for your pet, contact us at Parkway Animal Hospital in Grand Prairie, TX, at (972) 263-7277 today.