Imagine if you never brushed your teeth or had them cleaned. Pretty frightening, right? As you can guess, things would soon start to go very bad inside your mouth: teeth would rot and decay, gums would become inflamed and painful, then infected. You could have trouble eating or loose teeth. Bacteria from periodontal disease could eventually travel into your bloodstream and cause other serious health problems.
The fact is that by age three, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some evidence of periodontal disease. Periodic dental exams help maintain proper oral hygiene and prevent future problems.
Countryside Animal Clinic offers complete pet oral health services, including:
- Dental exams
- Annual dental cleanings
- Dental X-rays
- Extractions
Following American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines, we only do cleanings and dental work on anesthetized pets. To ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia, we do require a routine blood test before the procedure.
Preventive Dental Care
Brushing your pet’s teeth several times per week is the best way to prevent plaque and tartar build-up. Interested in learning how to brush your pet’s teeth? Just ask and our veterinarians will be happy to help you get started. If you have a pet that won’t tolerate brushing, our veterinarians can also recommend products that will help keep your pet’s mouth healthy in between cleanings.
You can also help prevent severe oral problems by looking at your pet’s teeth from time to time, investigating bad smells, growths and discolorations. If you’re uncertain about something you find, you can always call us and bring you pet in for a quick assessment. Catching the problem early can help your pet live a longer, healthier life.
To make an appointment for a dental exam or cleaning, call us at (352) 746-7171.