Dental hygiene, like in humans, is very important for your pets overall health. Our doctor recommends brushing your pet's teeth at least two times weekly with animal-appropriate toothpaste. During your pet's routine physical exam, the doctor will examine your pet's teeth and gum line. At this time they will discuss whether or not a dental cleaning should be performed.
During a dental cleaning, your pet will be completely anesthetized. All of the teeth are scaled to remove tartar and calculus, and probed to measure gum health. Then the teeth are polished or extracted at this time.
Dentals are typically an out-patient procedure. We normally schedule dentals on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. All dental patients must be fasted after 10:00 PM the night before their procedure, and then be dropped off at the clinic between 7:30 and 8:00 AM the morning of their procedure. Providing water is always okay! Pick-up for dental patients is usually the same day; however, the doctor may choose to keep patients overnight if they had multiple extractions.
We also carry a product called Oravet chews that help dogs to brush their teeth. Many times the act of brushing is just not an easy routine for owners, so feel free to ask about other available options if you are curious!
Antibiotics prior to the dental may be recommended, and usually will be continued a short time after the dental. I also encourage bloodwork prior to the dental to evaluate all the oragans, and make sure anesthesia is not an increased risk.