Pet Dental Care
Did you know that it is possible to add several years to your pet’s life with proper dental care at Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital?
Dental hygiene is an important part of your pet’s health and dental disease can often be the cause of serious illness. If left untreated, dental problems can lead to larger systemic issues in your pet due to oral bacteria entering the blood stream and damaging the kidneys, heart and liver.
However, despite its prevalence and risk dental disease is often overlooked by many pet owners. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats develop tooth and gum disease by the age of three years.
Dental disease and its serious consequences can be avoided by bringing your pet to Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital for regular dental check-ups and teeth cleanings. Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital offers full dental cleanings, which includes scaling, polishing and fluoride treatments. Should our examination of your pet’s teeth, above and below the gum line, find evidence of disease, we will explain the nature of the issue and refer you to a veterinary dental specialist if necessary.
Home Dental Care
Dental care does not end with a visit to your veterinarian here at Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital. You need to continue our good work at home by brushing your pet’s teeth as part of a normal home dental care regimen. Any member of the Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital staff can show you the proper method of brushing your pet’s teeth as well as help you select the most effective dental products for your pet.
It is also important for you to recognize the signs and symptoms of dental problems, which include:
- Bad breath – one of the first signs of dental disease
- 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 should notice any of these issues in your pet, Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital highly recommends you bring your pet in for a dental exam.
