TEETH CLEANING

As you can imagine, visits to the dentist are quite different for us than our canine and feline family members. Not only have we been taking care of our teeth on a daily basis for years, but also most of us have the ability to sit still and keep our mouths open for periods of time without sedation. Veterinary dentistry is more involved, time consuming, and complex. Since cleaning your pet’s teeth requires general anesthesia, your pet may need to spend a day at our hospital.

 

The first step of your pet’s teeth cleaning is a physical examination. After making sure your pet is in good general health, we administer anesthesia for the safety and comfort of your pet and our team.

 

Once your pet is painlessly asleep, we begin the cleaning by removing the tartar from the teeth with a hand scaler. Next, we use an ultrasonic scaler and curette to clean above the gum line while cleaning and smoothing the teeth under the gum line. After that is complete, we polish their teeth, clean the gums, and wash with an antibacterial solution to delay future tartar build-up.

 

Dental Radiographs

An examination does not always reveal all sources of pain in an animal's mouth; therefore, we perform full mouth radiographs during routine dental cleanings. A dental radiograph will detect disease and potential pain that may be occurring under the gums.

 

Extractions and Surgery

In advanced cases of periodontal disease, oral surgery or tooth extractions are required. Dr. Segarra performs a wide range of dental procedures.

 

Prevention: The Best Medicine

Dental care doesn't end with a visit to The Village Animal Hospital. You need to continue this work at home! Brushing your pet's teeth is an important part of home dental care. If you have any questions about how to properly brush your pet's teeth, please don't hesitate to ask!