Pet Dental Care in Noank, CT
It's possible to add years to your pet's life with proper dental care. Dental hygiene can also increase your pet's vitality. Veterinary dental care will help ensure your pet leads the best life possible.
However, if left untreated, dental disease can not only be painful and inhibit proper nutrition, but it can also lead to serious systemic issues that may threaten your pet's health before symptoms are noticeable. For example, oral bacteria that enters the bloodstream can damage your pet's kidneys, heart or liver. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats develop tooth and gum disease by the age of three years.
Veterinary dental care, along with digital radiography and regular examinations, will help minimize the lifetime cost of care for your pet and help them to lead long, happy lives.
Dental Services
The centerpiece of good dental care is a complete oral exam followed by a thorough cleaning. Dental cleanings include ultrasonic scaling followed by polishing and a mouth rinse, the combination of which is designed to remove plaque and slow its buildup.
Should we find any issues, such as evidence of gum or tooth decay, gingivitis, or excessive plaque buildup, we will discuss this with you and provide treatment options. We are highly experienced dental practitioners and capable of offering a number of dental procedures and oral surgeries. For more complicated or severe cases, we may refer you to a board certified specialist.
At our state-of-the-art Noank, CT facility, we offer:
- Scaling (ultrasound) and polishing
- Extractions
- Jaw fracture repair on a case-by-case basis
Digital Radiography
In order to provide fast, accurate diagnoses and treatments of dental problems, Noank-Mystic Veterinary Hospital has invested in a digital radiograph (X-ray) machine. These digital X-rays can show your veterinarian the full picture of your pet's oral cavity while ensuring that any issue may be treated fast and effectively. Digital X-rays are able to be viewed immediately, and can be sent to other hospitals for second opinions with the click of a button. Oral health is an important part of your pet's complete wellness plan, and digital X-rays are another way for us to ensure that your pet lives a long, happy, and comfortable life.
Home Dental Care
Dental care is not something that can be left to periodic visits with us. Because plaque buildup – the primary cause of poor oral health – is a gradual process occurring throughout the life of your pet, it is important to practice good home dental care. As with humans, this means regular tooth brushing and in some cases additional steps may be necessary. Any member of the our staff can show you the proper method for caring for your pet's teeth as well as help you select the most effective dental products for your pet.
You should also be able to recognize the signs of poor oral health. If you notice any of the following you may want to contact us:
- Persistent bad breath – one of the first signs of dental disease
- Tartar or plaque buildup (ask your veterinarian how to identify these)
- A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line
- Red and swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when the mouth or gums are touched
- Pawing at the mouth
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
- Loose or missing teeth