Pet dental health isn’t just about clean, shiny teeth (although that’s an added bonus); it’s about preventing disease of the mouth that can lead to disease elsewhere in your pet’s body.

Prevention, Prevention, Prevention!

Periodontal disease is extremely common in pets and is completely preventable. We recommend brushing your pet’s teeth every day. How often do pet owners do this daily cleaning? Not often! Our lives are busy and it can be difficult to fit in our own twice-daily brushing with flossing, let alone do it for our pets. This makes taking your pet in for dentals even more important.

Isn’t brushing your pet’s teeth enough?

Unfortunately, no. We’ve had the opportunity, for example, to witness a dental on a dog during which bits of wood and other particles were removed from between his rear teeth. The DVM was also able to identify problematic teeth and, with the owner’s permission, was able to take x-rays to determine the extent of the problem.

Remember that not all dental treatments are created equal. At Ann Arbor Animal Hospital we pride ourselves on offering comprehensive, comfortable care for your pet, right in our own dental suite. For more information, check out an article on what a dental procedure at A2AH offers.

The American Veterinary Medicine Association recommends that your pet’s mouth be checked once a year for signs of poor dental health, so next time you bring Fido and Fluffy in, be sure to ask the vet to check for dental problems. A few dental cleanings are much easier on your pets (and your wallet) than paying for more extensive dental care further down the road.