Dental Care

Proper dental care is an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Ardmore Animal Hospital offers full preventive dental care for all pets, including comprehensive cleanings, tooth extractions and gingival flap procedures for large tooth extractions.

Why is dental care so important for your pet? Periodontal disease, caused by a build-up of bacteria and plaque on your pet's teeth and gums, can lead to bleeding and inflammation of the gums and the eventual loss of teeth. But the effects of periodontal disease are not limited to your pet's mouth. As the disease progresses, bacteria can travel through the blood and damage the heart, liver and kidneys. More than 80 percent of dogs and cats have periodontal disease, and while it is extremely common, it is also highly preventable.

Ardmore Animal Hospital utilizes digital dental radiology during dental exams in order to better view, diagnose and treat dental problems. Digital dental x-rays offer a clear, detailed view of your pet's teeth and is extremely useful in identifying damaged teeth and trouble spots. Because digital dental x-rays produce clearer, more detailed images, your pet spends less time on the x-ray table, resulting in a safer, stress-free visit.

What's Involved with Teeth Cleaning?

Your pet's dental cleaning begins with a general examination in order to evaluate his or her overall health and help us develop an anesthetic protocol. Because veterinary dental procedures are more involved than human dental procedures, anesthesia is required to keep your pet still and prevent stress and discomfort.

First, tartar is removed from the teeth using a hand scaler. A periodontal probe checks for pockets under the gumline where periodontal disease and bad breath start. An ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above the gumline, while a curette cleans and smoothes the teeth under the gumline in the crevices. Next, your pet's teeth are polished, creating a smooth surface. Finally, the gums are washed with an anti-bacterial solution to help delay tartar build-up, both under the gumline and on the crown of the tooth.

Extractions and Surgery

In advanced cases of periodontal disease, oral surgery or tooth extractions are required. The veterinarians at Ardmore Animal Hospital perform a wide range of dental procedures.

Home Prevention

Proper dental care doesn't end when your pet leaves our veterinary hospital. Brushing your pet's teeth is an excellent way to ensure your pet's teeth, gums and mouth remain healthy. The staff at Ardmore Animal Hospital can show you the proper method of brushing your pet's teeth.