When do you need to check your pet’s teeth?
Healthy teeth and gums are very important to ensure the long term health of your pet. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked annually when you take it for it’s yearly check-up but schedule a visit if you suspect any issues with your pet’s teeth and gums at any time. The check-ups will usually be visually but x-rays may be done to check for underlying issues if any are suspected. X-rays help to assess issues below the gum-line that may not be visible to the naked eye. Tooth decay can cause a lot of other health problems for your pet if not checked regularly.
What is checked during an oral examination?
We will check for obvious tooth decay as well as abscesses in the oral cavity. We check for tartar below the gum-line We check for issues such as ulcers and tumours in the mouth. We also look for wounds and signs of trauma in the pet’s mouth. We also do a screen for systemic diseases which include possible renal disease in cats. Other issues in the mouth can also be checked and further examined at this point.
Signs that your pet may have dental issues include bad breath, tartar on the gum-line, inflamed gums, difficulty eating, pain or bleeding of the mouth, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth or any other changes in eating habits. If you suspect any dental problems, please schedule an appointment as soon as possible.