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Dental Care for Dogs and Cats

Good dental hygiene is an important part of your pet’s overall health and well-being. Without dental care, bacteria and plaque buildup on your pet’s teeth and eventually harden into tartar. Tartar can cause gingivitis, receding gums, and even tooth loss. Dental disease can lead to pain and infections, with the potential of the infection spreading to other organs. In addition to retaining your pet’s teeth, regular professional cleanings are crucial in maintaining their overall health.

Professional Dental Care at Baldwin Animal Hospital

At Baldwin Animal Hospital, we will perform a comprehensive dental exam at your pet’s annual wellness exam. Our skilled veterinarians perform every dental procedure using advanced dental equipment, and our professional dental treatments will prevent your pet from suffering from dental diseases.

While your pet is safely under anesthesia, we will:

• Take digital x-rays of your pet’s mouth to examine the teeth for mobility, fractures, malocclusions, and periodontal disease.
• Use ultrasonic cleaning tools to remove plaque and tartar below the gum line.
• Perform a thorough cleaning and polishing to create a tooth surface that is smooth and more resistant to the buildup of plaque.
• Provide a fluoride treatment to strengthen the tooth’s enamel and reduce sensitivity.

Baldwin Animal Hospital is also equipped to perform advanced dental care for your pet such as:

• Periodontal Therapy
• Major and Minor Tooth Extractions
• Restorative Dentistry
• Oral surgery

Digital Dental Radiology

Digital radiology, also known as digital x-ray, is an advanced dental technology that allows us to examine individual teeth for bone loss, hidden fractures, or swelling that may be present. Thanks to digital technology, the images appear on the screen within seconds, allowing us to diagnose and treat your pet quickly and efficiently. This also reduces the amount of time your pet is exposed to radiation.

At-Home Pet Dental Care

At Baldwin Animal Hospital, our veterinarians strongly recommend regular at-home dental care to prevent the buildup of plaque on your pet’s teeth. Brushing your pet’s teeth on a daily basis will reduce or eliminate plaque buildup. Plaque can progress to periodontitis, which is an infection characterized by inflammation and oral pain. If the periodontitis is left untreated, it will eventually loosen and destroy the teeth, possibly leading to bone loss.

Common signs of dental disease in pets include:

• Bad breath
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Loose teeth
• Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• Drooling or dropping food from the mouth
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Your pet shies away from you when you touch the mouth area

If your pet exhibits any of the signs of dental disease, please call us to schedule a dental exam for your pet.