Dentistry

Just like humans, pets can suffer from dental problems such as plaque, tartar buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay, which can lead to pain, difficulty eating, and even more serious health issues. Poor dental hygiene can also potentially contribute to heart, liver, and kidney problems as bacteria from infected teeth can spread through the bloodstream.

Regular brushing, dental check-ups, and professional cleanings help prevent these issues, ensuring your pet enjoys a long, healthy, and comfortable life.

Regular Professional Cleaning

A healthy mouth and clean teeth can lead to a longer, healthier life for your pet. Taking care of your pets' teeth at home helps avoid serious dental disease, but cats and dogs need periodic professional cleaning just like you do. At Toebeans & Tails Veterinary Hospital we take care to provide a safe, thorough, and professional cleaning similar to the one you get at your dentist’s office.

Dental Disease

Periodontal disease is a progressive infection of the gums and other support structures surrounding the teeth. If left untreated it can lead to pain, halitosis, tooth root abscesses, and bacterial infections that can enter the bloodstream and potentially cause damage to many major organs. As part of your annual visit, Dr. Wilson will conduct an oral examination to ensure that your pet's teeth are healthy and disease-free. If a cleaning is needed, while your pet is under anesthesia, we will x-ray and evaluate each individual tooth to determine if any other dental work is needed.

Extractions and Surgery

Dental surgery may be needed when non-surgical treatments like cleaning or medication are not enough to address the problem. Toebeans & Tails offers specialized procedures to treat serious dental conditions in animals, such as fractured teeth, severe gum disease, abscesses, or oral tumors. We use advanced techniques to extract damaged teeth, treat infections, or repair oral structures, helping to alleviate pain and prevent further complications.

Oral ATP (Assessment, Treatment, Planning):

• Digital Oral X-Rays
  Full mouth x-rays are necessary to fully evaluate all tooth structures. Many times, the largest part of the tooth is the root, which is under the gum line and cannot be evaluated with a visual oral exam. Additionally, oral x-rays are needed to plan and execute surgical extractions.
  
  
• Scaling & Polishing
  To remove plaque and calculus from your pet's teeth we use similar instruments to those your dentist uses, such as high speed ultrasonic scalers and hand scalers. After cleaning, the enamel surfaces of your pet's teeth are polished to remove scratches in the enamel.

Home Dental Care
Your pet relies on you to help maintain their dental health through regular teeth brushing which will help fight plaque build-up. 

Brushing is best, but there are a multitude of other ways you can care for your pet's teeth at home. Dr. Wilson will discuss these options with you. We recommend products that have earned the Veterinary Oral Health Council's seal of approval, which means they have been clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar. You can see these products here.