Veterinary Dentistry & Dental Surgery
Comprehensive Pet Dental Care for Cats & Dogs
Routinely administered pet dental care is a key aspect of cats' and dogs' oral and overall health. However, most pets don't actually get the oral hygiene care that they need in order to keep their gums and teeth healthy.
At our Wisconsin Dells veterinary clinic, we are proud to be able to provide comprehensive dental care to your pet, from basics like dental exams to teeth cleanings and polishing, 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 Wisconsin Dells
We know that learning your pet requires dental surgery can be a bit overwhelming. Because of this, we work to ensure that the process is as stress-free as possible both for you and for your pet.
We'll do everything we can to ensure your pet's experience with us is comfortable and easy. We'll break down each step of the process to you in detail before the procedure, 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
Just like your own yearly dental checkup with a human dentist, your cat or dogs should revive a dental examination for your vet at least once each year. Pets who are more likely to develop oral health issues than most may need to be examined more often, though.
Dells Animal Hospital 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.
- Bad breath
- Tartar buildup
- Discolored teeth
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Assessment
We will complete a comprehensive pre-anesthetic examination and health assessment before your pet's dental exam.
We can take blood and urine analyses to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs and dental radiographs may also be conducted.
After your pet has been placed under anesthesia, we will conduct an exacting oral exam and charting.
- Treatment
Next, the teeth are cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and X-rays may be taken.
If we find advanced periodontal disease or other oral health issues in your pet's mouth, our vets will develop a treatment plan and speak with you about it.
- Prevention
We will discuss and evaluate your pets dental status at the pets annual exam.
At the time of discharge from the dental procedure and during the initial exam when first discussing the status of your pets dentition, we will discuss implementing teeth brushing at home. We 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 people, when our pets eat, plaque builds up on their teeth, forming tartar if not regularly brushed away.
This may cause health issues like infection in their mouth, gum disease, loose teeth, tooth decay or even missing teeth. Because of this, regular dental care is critical to preventing pain of disease in your pet's gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know behavior may be an indication of 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 signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may even suffer from pain that keeps them from eating. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
On top of causing health issues from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontitis, oral health issues and other conditions can cause diseases in your pet's liver, kidneys, heart and other areas of their body.
Cysts or tumors may develop. Your pet may also not feel well in general (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!). In addition, diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet and cause significant pain.
Because of all of this, routinely scheduled dental care is critical to your companion's physical health and well-being.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During your pet’s regular oral exam, the vet will examine his or her mouth and look for oral health conditions or any symptoms needing treatment.
The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your cat's or dog's teeth. If cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions need to be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and provide advice on which actions you should take.
In some instances, surgery will be required in order to treat serious conditions. Your pet will be provided with anesthesia before the procedure to make sure your companion is comfortable and won't experience any pain. However, your dog or cat will require some extra care and special attention after their operation.
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a dental appointment with us.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
At home, you should brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis and give them dental chew toys. These will 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.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Cats and dogs do not understand what is going on during dental procedures, and will often react to dental procedures by struggling or biting.
Similar to the anesthesia provided to nervous or anxious patients by dentists, our Wisconsin Dells vets provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to X-ray their mouth as needed.