As a pet owner, looking after your pet is a top priority. Part of that care involves getting them regular check-ups at the vet. These visits cover many things like vaccines and overall health. However, there’s another very important part – a dental exam. So, what happens during these dental exams? Let’s break it down for people who might not know much about this topic yet.
An Introduction to the Basic Steps of a Pet Dental Exam
Dental exams for your pet happen in a vet’s office. It’s like when you go to your dentist. This is an important part of the range of veterinary services that most pet hospitals provide. First, the vet usually looks inside your pet’s mouth for a complete check-up.
- Teeth Checking: Just like your dentist checks your teeth, the vet will do the same with your pet. The vet looks for plaque and tartar, which are harmful build-ups on your pet’s teeth. They also look for decayed, loose, or broken teeth, which could harm your pet.
- Gum Exam: The vet will also need to look at your pet’s gums. They’re looking for inflammation (when the gums are swollen or red) or abscesses (which are like painful pimples in the gums). Both are signs of gum disease that need attention.
- Jaw bone Checking: The vet checks if your pet’s teeth are stable and if there are signs of hidden dental disease in the jawbone.
What Extra Procedures May Occur During a Dental Exam?
Once the vet has done the basic check-up, they might suggest extra procedures. This will depend on what they found during the basic exam.
- Teeth Cleaning and Polishing: If the vet finds plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth, they might need a dental cleaning. It’s similar to the cleaning we get at our dentist. After cleaning, teeth are polished to make it hard for plaque to stick to them.
- Dental X-rays: X-rays let the vet see things they can’t see just by looking. With X-rays, they can find problems under your pet’s gums. These could include abscesses or issues with the jaw bone.
- Removing Teeth: Sometimes, a tooth is in such bad condition it’s best to take it out. This keeps your pet from having pain in the future and stops the disease from spreading to other teeth.
- Special Dental Treatments: Sometimes a pet needs special dental treatments. Those could be things like root canals, restorative dentistry to fix broken or missing teeth, or orthodontics to straighten crooked teeth.
Benefits That Come From Regular Pet Health Exams
So why should you have regular pet wellness exams? These exams are good for your pet and for you as a pet owner. They can catch health problems early on and can help you avoid bigger problems later.
- Preventing Health Problems: Going for regular check-ups can prevent many health problems. By finding them early, you have a better chance to treat and cure them. This is part of your pet healthcare plan.
- Giving Vaccine Shots: A normal part of a routine exam is giving vaccine shots for puppies and kittens. These protect your pet from deadly diseases.
- Helping Your Pet Live Longer: Regular healthcare helps your pet live a healthier and longer life. By detecting health problems early and giving routine vaccines, you can give your pet a chance for a longer lifespan.
Taking a Look at Pet Dentistry
Does your pet need to take care of its teeth? Yes, just like we do. Footballers or not to, health problems can be caused by dental disease in pets. Those might include kidney disease, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Keeping a clean mouth: You can brush your pet’s teeth regularly. There are also special dental treatments that can help keep teeth clean.
- Visiting a professional: Sometimes, teeth need a cleaning from a professional. That’s when a dog dentist can help.
- Knowing what’s normal: If we know what’s normal, we can spot when something’s wrong. By knowing the signs of dental disease, we can help our pets stay healthy.
Importance of Vaccinations for Your Pet
Vaccinations are another way to keep your pet healthy. They are like armor against diseases. By keeping your pet’s vaccines up to date, you can protect them from many health problems.
- Core vaccines: These are vaccines all pets should get. They help your pet fight off common, dangerous diseases. One example is the rabies vaccine.
- Non-core vaccines: These are extra vaccines that help based on your pet’s lifestyle. For example, dogs who often go to dog parks might need the Bordetella vaccine.
- Yearly Check-up: To keep their armor strong, pets need vaccines and a reliable dog physical exam to check for possible health problems.
To End
Thinking about getting a dental exam for your pet now? It’s not just about teeth. It’s really about giving your pet a healthier, happier, and longer life. It’s about preventing health problems before they become serious. And it’s about you becoming the best pet owner you can be. Make a date for your pet’s next check-up today, and know that you’re taking one of the most important steps toward their well-being.