Pet Dental Care at Native Palm Animal Hospital
Your Pet's Dental Health in Jupiter, Florida
You are a responsible pet owner and you take good care of your pet. But do you always remember to take care of your pet's teeth? Dental disease, specifically periodontal disease, is the most common ailment affecting pet dogs and cats. Regular dental check-ups at Native Palm Animal Hospital, combined with good dental hygiene at home, can increase your pet's health, vitality, and well-being, help ensure your pet leads the best life possible, and reduce the lifetime cost of pet care.
If left untreated, dental disease can not only be painful and inhibit proper nutrition, but it can also lead to serious systemic issues that may threaten your pet's overall health before symptoms are noticeable. For those reasons, our Jupiter veterinary team strongly considers dental care an important piece of your dog's or cat's preventive health care program.
Dental Examinations at Native Palm Animal Hospital
Just like in humans, infection and inflammation of the gums and supporting tissues of the teeth are caused by bacteria present in plaque and tartar. When tartar builds up on your pet's teeth, it can lead to bad breath, bleeding, receding gums, and even eventual tooth loss.
Dr. McMindes and Dr. Burgess and their staff believe that the centerpiece of good dental care is a complete oral exam followed by a thorough cleaning designed to remove plaque and slow its buildup.
At Native Palm Animal Hospital in Jupiter, your pet's dental appointment includes:
- Oral examinations under anesthesia
- Diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease
- Supra and subgingival scaling
- Tooth extractions
- Polishing
- Irrigation
- Fluoride application
Should we find any issues, such as evidence of gum or tooth erosion, gingivitis, or excessive plaque buildup, we will discuss this with you and offer treatment options for your pet. We are experienced dental practitioners and are capable of offering a number of dental procedures and oral surgeries.
Caring for Your Pet's Teeth
and Gums at Home
You can prevent serious dental problems by making sure your pet receives dental exams at the time of each vaccination, again at 6 months of age, and then annually. In between visits to your Jupiter veterinarian at Native Palm Animal Hospital, check your pet's teeth regularly for signs of problems. Brushing your pet's teeth is the single most important procedure you can do to maintain good oral health. If performed regularly, brushing dramatically decreases the incidence of gingivitis and can increase the interval between teeth cleaning appointments.
If you are unsure of how to brush your pet's teeth, please ask a member of Native Palm Animal Hospital's Jupiter veterinary team for instructions.
Signs of Pet Dental Problems
Halitosis, or bad breath, is the most common sign of dental disease. The major cause of halitosis is periodontal disease, which is an infection of the gums and potentially the other supporting structures of the teeth. Plaque builds up every day on the tooth surface including at the gum line. Left in place, the plaque can harden in less than two days, forming calculus or tartar. The continued build-up of tartar both above and below the gum line can eventually produce an environment for certain types of bacteria that are destructive to the periodontal tissues and also produce a more noticeable odor.
Other symptoms of dental disease include:
- A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line
- Red and swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when the mouth or gums are touched
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
- Loose or missing teeth
If you have ever experienced a toothache, you understand just how uncomfortable oral pain can be. If your pet is experiencing any of the above symptoms, please call Native Palm Animal Hospital today at (561) 747-9991 for an appointment so we can help your pet get back on track towards good oral health.
For more information about Native Palm Animal Hospital's pet dental services in Jupiter FL, please send us an email or call our Palm Beach County veterinary team at (561) 747-9991.