Comprehensive Dental Care for Your Pet
Although routine dental care is critically important to cats' and dogs' overall health, it often goes neglected. Like humans, pets need regular oral hygiene care to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
At our Hattiesburg and Wiggins veterinary hospitals, we provide a range of veterinary dentistry services for your pet, from basics such as dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, to dental x-rays and surgeries.
We also make a point of providing dental health education to pet owners about home dental care for their pets.
Dental Surgery in Hattiesburg and Wiggins
Learning that your pet needs dental surgery can be overwhelming. We're here to support you by making the process as stress-free as possible for you and for your pet.
We'll do everything we can to ensure that you and your pet experience a comfortable, easy visit every time. We'll break down each step of the process to you in detail before procedures, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Much like your annual checkup at the dentist, your dog or cat should come in for a dental examination at least once a year. Pets who are more prone to dental problems than others may need to see us more often.
Our Holland Veterinary Hospitals veterinary dentistry team can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Discolored teeth
- Assessment
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before the dental exam.
We will take blood and urine analyses to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet is comfortably under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
Next, the teeth are cleaned and polished (above and under the gum line) and X-Rays are taken. We then apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth.
Finally, a dental sealant is applied to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If your vet finds signs of advanced periodontal disease, they will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
Ideally, a follow-up examination will be scheduled two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
Your vet will discuss the implementation of teeth brushing at home and can also recommend products that can help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our clients about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral health.
Just like in humans, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not brushed away regularly.
This can lead to infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. Regular dental care is essential to preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How do I know if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know changes in behavior can give a hint at oral health problems? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, they drool excessively (and the drool may contain pus or blood), or you may notice them pawing at their mouth or teeth. They may also yawn excessively, grind their teeth, or stop grooming sufficiently.
Other common symptoms of oral health issues include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may be suffering from pain that keeps them from eating.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Aside from being the source of oral health problems ranging from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Your pet may also not feel well in general (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!), and diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet and cause them significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During your pet’s regular oral exam, the vet will examine their mouth and look for oral health conditions or any symptoms indicating a need for treatment.
The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your pet's teeth. If cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions need to be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and advise you on which actions you should take.
In some cases, surgery is necessary to treat serious conditions. Your pet will undergo anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and do not experience any pain. However, special care will be needed post-surgery.
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a dental appointment with us.
- How can I keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments
At home, brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis and give them dental chew toys to help eliminate plaque.
Do not allow them to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as bones, toys, or objects that are too hard. Always contact your vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Discolored teeth
Veterinary Dentistry: About Anesthesia
Your pets do not understand what is going on during dental procedures, and will often react to dental procedures by struggling or biting.
Much like the anesthesia provided to anxious patients by dentists, our Hattiesburg and Wiggins vets provide anesthesia to all of our animal patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to X-Ray their mouth as needed.