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Dental Care

There are a number of oral problems that can cause discomfort, serious pain, trouble eating, or loss of teeth. You can’t keep your dog from suffering tooth trauma, but you can help prevent other serious mouth disorders and see that cavities and fractured teeth receive attention when they occur. Here are some of the problems that can cause your pet grief:

• Gingivitis – This inflammation of the gums is caused by the buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria above and below the gum line.
• Periodontal Disease – This painful gum infection can result in tooth pain, red swollen gums, bad breath and bleeding, and can cause teeth to loosen and fall out. This infection can also spread to other parts of the body, too.
• Mouth Tumors – Yes, they can occur in dogs, just as they can in humans. Tumors in the mouth appear as lumps on the gums and should be tested to make sure they are benign; otherwise, they must be removed.
• Bad Breath – Known medically as “halitosis,” this problem is usually caused by food that has been caught between the teeth and stays there long enough to decay and for bacteria to develop.

There is a lot you can do at home to maintain your pet's dental health. First of all make sure you are feeding your dog a good diet with nutrients that protect your pet’s bones and teeth. Also look into your pet’s mouth regularly, and brush his teeth daily with dog toothpaste if you can. 

Routine dental cleaning / prophylaxis (ultrasonic scaling and polishing) is also recommended based on oral health assessed during annual exams. The frequency of these cleanings varies between breeds, individual pets and so on. This care is best performed by veterinarians, with your pet anaesthetized to be able to get under the gum line to help provide maximum benefits of a dental cleaning. 

Let's work together to make your pet healthy and happy!