Why Pet Dental Care is Important

At 4 Paws Pet Clinic, we believe that maintaining your pet’s oral health is a crucial part of their overall well-being. Just like humans, pets can suffer from plaque buildup, gum disease, and even painful infections if their teeth aren’t properly cared for. If left untreated, dental disease can lead to serious health problems, including heart, liver, and kidney disease. That’s why regular dental cleanings and at-home care are so important. If you’re looking for a trusted vet in Aroma Park to help keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy, our experienced team of veterinarians are here to provide top-quality veterinary dental care.

Comprehensive Teeth & Gum Cleaning

As you can imagine, visits to the dentist are quite different for us than our canine and feline family members. Not only have we been taking care of our teeth on a daily basis for years, but also most of us can sit still and keep our mouths open for periods of time without sedation. Veterinary dentistry is more involved, time-consuming, and complex. Since cleaning your pet’s teeth requires general anesthesia, your pet may need to spend a day at our hospital.

Unlike humans, pets can’t sit still and open their mouths for a routine dental exam. While we brush our teeth daily, our canine and feline companions rely on us for their oral hygiene. Veterinary dentistry is more involved, requiring general anesthesia to ensure a thorough and pain-free cleaning process. Because of this, your pet will likely need to spend the day at our hospital for their dental procedure.

When you bring your pet to our vet in Aroma Park for a professional teeth cleaning, here’s what you can expect:

  1. Pre-Cleaning Examination – Before we begin, we perform a comprehensive physical exam to ensure your pet is in good overall health and ready for anesthesia.
  2. Safe & Comfortable Anesthesia – To keep your pet still, pain-free, and stress-free, we administer anesthesia under careful monitoring.
  3. Tartar & Plaque Removal – We start by using a hand scaler to remove tartar from the surface of the teeth. Then, we use an ultrasonic scaler to clean above and below the gum line.
  4. Polishing & Antibacterial Rinse – After scaling, we polish your pet’s teeth to smooth the enamel and slow future tartar buildup. Finally, we rinse with an antibacterial solution to help prevent future infections.

A professional cleaning is the most effective way to maintain your pet’s dental health, and our skilled vet in Aroma Park is dedicated to providing a comfortable, stress-free experience for your furry family member.

Digital Dental Radiography: Advanced Diagnostics for Your Pet

At 4 Paws Pet Clinic, we use state-of-the-art digital dental radiology to get a complete view of your pet’s oral health. Unlike traditional X-rays, digital radiographs provide high-definition images of your pet’s teeth and the area below the gum line. This allows us to diagnose hidden dental diseases that wouldn’t be visible during a regular exam.

Early detection is key! With digital dental radiology, we can identify problems such as root infections, fractures, and bone loss before they become severe. By catching these issues early, we can provide treatment before your pet experiences pain or requires more invasive procedures.

Tooth Extractions & Oral Surgery

In cases of advanced periodontal disease, oral surgery or extractions may be necessary. Severe dental disease can cause pain, infections, and even tooth loss. If an extraction is required, we ensure that your pet is comfortable before, during, and after the procedure. Our team will walk you through the aftercare process and provide pain management solutions to keep your pet comfortable as they heal.

Preventative Dental Care at Home

Professional cleanings are just one part of a complete dental care routine. To keep your pet’s teeth healthy between vet visits, at-home dental care is essential. Brushing your pet’s teeth regularly helps reduce plaque buildup, prevent gum disease, and keep their breath fresh.

Our team is happy to demonstrate proper brushing techniques and recommend pet-safe dental products to help you maintain your pet’s oral health at home. Other options, such as dental chews, water additives, and prescription diets, can also support your pet’s dental hygiene.

Schedule Your Pet’s Dental Exam Today!

Don’t wait until your pet shows signs of dental disease—proactive care is the best way to keep them happy and healthy. If your pet needs a dental exam or cleaning, call 4 Paws Pet Clinic today at (815) 523-7297 (PAWS) to schedule an appointment. Our compassionate team is dedicated to providing the highest level of veterinary care, and we’re proud to be your go-to vet in Aroma Park for all of your pet’s health needs.

Let’s work together to keep your pet’s smile bright and their health in top shape!

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