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Dentistry

Annual dental exams and cleanings are recommended to protect your pet from many health problems and help them maintain a healthy and clean mouth.

La Porte Veterinary Dentistry

Outstanding Oral Health for Your Pets

Your pet deserves outstanding medical care for every part of their body. At Animal Clinic of La Porte, we take all aspects of your pet’s health seriously – that included the health of their teeth and gums.

It’s easy to forget that your pet’s teeth need the same level of care as the rest of their body. Your veterinarian can help your pet’s mouth stay happy and healthy throughout their lives with comprehensive veterinary dental care in La Porte.

As an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited practice, Animal Clinic of La Porte is proud to offer a broad range of dental services for all of their oral health needs.

Get your pet the oral care they need by scheduling an appointment at Animal Clinic of La Porte. Call (281) 709-2186 or contact us online to make your pet’s smile a priority.

Overview

Studies show that 50% of all dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease. That number jumps to 80% in pets that are 3 years of age or older. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause infection, pain, and tooth loss over time. It can also lead to serious health problems like microscopic changes in the heart, liver, and kidneys. Because of this, we recommend an annual veterinary dental healthcare examination for all pets.

Why do pets need dental care?

Many health problems start in the mouth. Plaque, tartar, periodontal disease, and infected teeth serve as a source of inflammation and infection for the rest of the body.

Dental disease is one of the most common problems that we see in dogs and cats. It can cause drooling, reluctance to eat, swelling, bad breath, redness of the gums, loose teeth and tooth discoloration.

Understanding Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease affects the tissues that hold the teeth in place. It is considered the most common illness effecting cats and dogs. Because we tend to think that our pets naturally have stinky breath, it’s easy to miss the signs of periodontal disease. However, it can cause lots of problems for your pet’s health, including pain and loss of teeth, if left untreated.

Keep an eye out for the following symptoms of periodontal disease:

  • Bad breath

  • Blood in the saliva or water dish

  • Difficulty or avoiding eating

  • Excessive drooling

  • Loose or loss of teeth

Any combination of the above symptoms can be a sign that your pet is suffering from periodontal disease. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, don’t wait! Give Animal Clinic of La Porte a call to schedule an oral exam.

Periodontal disease is caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth. Like in humans, plaque is a bacterial film that can be removed with regular brushing. However, if the plaque isn’t swept off the teeth regularly, it can die and harden on the teeth, which causes more surface areas for new plaque to cling to. This process continues and can cause plaque to spread below the gumline. Here, it can cause infections of the tissues holding your pet’s teeth in place. At this point, the only way to completely remove the plaque is a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia.

When should I seek dental care for my pet?

Dental issues and dental related diseases can easily be prevented by visiting our veterinarians regularly for dental examinations and cleanings. We take a comprehensive approach to dental care including dental health assessment, treatment, and prevention.

Dental Cleaning at Animal Clinic of La Porte

When your pet needs a dental cleaning in order to restore their oral health, Animal Clinic of La Porte is here for you. As an AAHA accredited animal hospital, our surgical suite is equipped with the latest anesthesia monitoring equipment to keep your pet safely monitored throughout their cleaning.

Your La Porte veterinarian will use tools similar to those used by human dentists to scale and polish your pet’s teeth, removing plaque and restoring shine. Once the plaque has been properly removed, we will apply an anti-plaque treatment to deter future buildup.

How does it work?

Teeth Exams, Cleaning and Polishing

Dog and cat dental cleanings are very similar to human dental cleanings, except that we are required to use anesthesia to properly and safely examine and clean the teeth. After the cleaning, our veterinarians perform a thorough oral exam and check for signs of disease like gum loss, root exposure, or pockets around the root.

Also similar to human dentistry, we do full mouth radiographs (x-rays) of your pet. This allows our veterinarians to be able to evaluate the roots of your pet's teeth as well as any disease or abnormalities that are located below the gum line and not visible on examination alone.

Tooth Extractions

We make every effort to save teeth that we feel have a chance to be successfully treated. In many circumstances, however, periodontal disease is so advanced that treatment without extraction is unsuccessful. We only extract teeth that in the doctor's opinion are beyond saving.

Minor Oral Surgery

Many teeth require oral surgery to safely remove each individual root. We have extensive training and experience to perform these procedures properly. Pain medications are administered in clinic and provided for in-home aftercare.