Pet dental health wasn’t always seen as a valuable service in the veterinary field. Prior to the 1970s, veterinary dentistry was often overlooked as an area of importance, but over the past 20 or more years it has become an instantly recognized and respected discipline. What makes it relevant today, and how does it help your pet?
Pet Dental Health Care for Small Animals is Very Important
Dentistry for pets is a much-needed service. Up to 80% of dogs, cats, rabbits and even smaller pets suffer from dental or oral problems at some point in their lives. Of all the conditions that veterinarians treat, the most common is dental disease.
Small pet dental care includes checking for tartar, red gums, cavities, fractured teeth, orthodontic abnormalities, reptile mouth rot and many other conditions causing pain and eating difficulties. Dentistry increases the chances of early detection and treatment of oral problems. With the slow onset of periodontal disease, warning signs are subtle and can easily be missed.
Here are some of the Countless Benefits of Small Animal Dentistry
Dentistry saves your pet from further health troubles. Left unchecked, dental disease can actually affect distant organs, including the heart, liver and kidneys. It may even result in behavorial changes like the avoidance of eating.
By undergoing a dental procedure, your pet will be provided relief from chronic pain, as pain relief affects both their well-being and behavior. Oral diseases are notorious for the high levels of pain they cause, and this suffering can stop with proper treatment.
The benefits of dentistry highlight the need for regular clinical examinations under general anesthesia and a radiographic evaluation to completely assess your pet’s dental health and diagnose any problems. Dental health services create a record of your pet’s dental care from dental abnormalities to radiographic findings and periodontal examination results. The charts created also include treatment plans and home care instructions.
Oral examinations highlight the necessity of brushing your pet’s teeth. Unlike animals in the wild, the diet and eating habits of domesticated animals require regular brushing to reduce dental plaque and, in turn, keep periodontal disease at bay.
Overall, giving your pet professional examinations lowers the risk of incorrect treatment or misdiagnosis of their oral health or dental problem.
Options of Small Animal Dentistry Treatments Vary
Dentistry for pets covers a wide range of fields, including periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, oral surgery and oral medicine. With such specializations, you can expect more targeted and accurate treatment approaches. They are all different, offering various options for each condition; you can choose treatments based on what you feel will best suit your pet.
With these options in mind, all pets have a fair chance at possessing a healthy, comfortable and functional bite. If your dog or cat has missing teeth, malocclusions and certain facial abnormalities, veterinary dentists are equipped with the skill and technology to correct these problems. It also allows pets that are injured in fights with other animals, bad falls or automobile mishaps to heal, as specific treatments can help them recover from trauma to their face and mouth.
The Future of Pet Dental Health is a Bright One
The field of small animal dentistry encourages and supports home care regimens for keeping your pet’s teeth healthy. Dentistry continues to evolve and expand, paving the way for more advanced diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Small animal dentistry is an essential element of pet dental health services. This type of care not only frees your pet from pain and suffering, it also improves your pet’s quality of life. Small pets with good oral health are healthier and happier than those who are suffering from oral and dental problems.
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