Oral and dental health is one of the most important aspects of your pet’s overall health. Annual dental cleanings and polishing are recommended (just like humans) and should start at an early age. Dental disease (periodontal disease) is the most common clinical condition occurring in adult dogs and cats and is entirely preventable. Unfortunately, other than bad breath, there are often few signs of the disease process evident to the owner. Professional dental cleaning and periodontal therapy often comes too late to prevent extensive disease or to save teeth. As a result, periodontal disease is usually under-treated, may cause multiple problems in the oral cavity, and may be associated with damage to internal organs in some patients as they age. Untreated periodontal disease can also cause tooth abscess, gum infections, and/or bone loss: all of which can be painful for your pet to experience and costly to manage. Studies in humans have linked periodontal disease to a variety of health problems including poor control of diabetes mellitus and increased severity of diabetic complications. Additionally, it has been shown that diabetes is a risk factor for periodontal disease.

Symptoms of poor oral health:

• Bad breath
• Changes in eating or chewing behavior
• Abnormal drooling
• Brownish-yellow crust on teeth
• Gums bleeding
• Tooth loss
• Change in behavior

If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, they should be examined by one of our veterinarians to fully assess any issues and develop a plan for treatment.

Our In-Office Dental Services:

• Professional ultrasonic scaling and polishing of teeth
• Complete oral exam of cleaned teeth including periodontal probing and charting
• Digital Dental X-Ray
• Deep Periodontal Cleaning
• Fluoride Treatment
• Routine extractions
• Complicated surgical extractions

If your pet has a dental problem, you can count on Dedham Veterinary Associates to help them feel better. Our facility boasts a full surgical suite with the latest in dental technology.

Things you can do at home:

• Brushing your pet’s teeth daily will help stimulate healthy gums help deter additional plaque buildup.
• You can feed your pet a dental based diet or treats. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation based on your pet’s needs.