We brush and floss our teeth twice per day, rinse with mouthwash, and visit our dentist every six months. Your dog has more teeth than you do, and your cat has a couple less, but what sort of dental care do you offer your furry friends? Many pet owners believe doggy and tuna breath are normal for pets, but a strong odor indicates your pet may have periodontal disease. Without proper dental care, the majority of pets have some form of dental disease by age 3, so, unless you and your pet follow the same dental health-care plan, there’s a good chance your four-legged pal will develop some tartar troubles. But, never fear—it’s never too late to begin a dental health-care regimen for your pet.  

Dental care for your pet at home

Daily dental care is one of the best things you can do for your pet’s overall health. Fortunately, a variety of products are available that can make this daily task a little easier, and ensure it fits into your schedule:

  • Pet-friendly toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Dental chews and treats
  • Water additives
  • Food additives
  • Dental wipes
  • Oral rinses
  • Prescription dental diets

Before hitting the local pet store and loading up your cart with every product in the dental section, do your research. Not all dental-health products are created equal. Always purchase products that display the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval, because they have been proven to slow plaque and tartar accumulation. 

Dental services for your pet at Alisos Animal Hospital

As with most aspects of your pet’s health care, when you and our veterinary staff work together on your furry pal’s dental health, we are an unbeatable team. While you undertake the task of daily brushing, we offer a deeper clean that a toothbrush or dental chew can’t provide. Armed with specialized veterinary dental equipment, we ensure that each of your pet’s teeth is healthy, from root to crown.

When your pet comes to see us for dental care, a few key differences set our hospital apart from other veterinary practices:

  • American Dental Society member — As an American Dental Society member, Dr. Bahou is dedicated to advancing pet dental-health care. Passionate about proper oral hygiene, he champions this foundation of your pet’s entire well-being. 
  • Modern dental equipment — To help pets reach their dental-health goals, we have outfitted our hospital with the most up-to-date dental equipment available, including a digital dental X-ray machine. With our top-notch equipment, we can provide the most comprehensive dental care, from routine prophylactic cleanings, to complicated oral surgeries and extractions. Also, we take dental X-rays of every pet to ensure that every oral issue is identified and addressed, since many dental problems lurk below the gumline, affecting the jaw bone, tooth roots, and periodontal ligaments. 
  • Complimentary dental exam — Our experienced veterinary technicians will provide a complimentary exam of your pet’s teeth to determine her oral health, and to identify potential issues seen above the gumline that need to be addressed. We will provide a detailed estimate if your pet needs a dental cleaning, and a cost range of oral surgery services if we notice extractions are warranted. Since it’s difficult to know the extent of dental disease in an awake pet, keep in mind that these are estimates only, and that we may discover more issues after we take dental X-rays once your pet has been anesthetized. Also, while our technicians can perform routine dental exams, for our senior pets, we prefer that one of our veterinarians performs a full check-up to ensure she is in good health prior to her dental cleaning. If your pet is older than 7, schedule a visit with one of our veterinarians. 

  • National Pet Dental Health Month discount — To help celebrate National Pet Dental Health Month, we are offering a 20% discount on dental cleanings and extractions in February. Since good oral health is such a vital piece of your pet’s overall well-being, we want to do everything we can to ensure every pet receives proper dental care.  

Are you interested in taking advantage of National Pet Dental Health Month? Contact us to schedule your pet for a dental cleaning.