Edgerton Veterinary Clinic

Keeping your pet healthy and happy.

Dental Services




Here, at Edgerton Veterinary Clinic, we offer a wide range of dental procedures and products.  Dental disease causes more than just bad breath.  It can lead to serious health problems that affect the kidneys, liver and heart.  Keep your pet's smile bright and healthy... talk to our staff about dental care next time you're here

You can find more information on Veterinary Dentistry by following the Pet Library link in the navigation bar and also at this very informative dental website.





 Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Dental Care For Your Pet
 
1.
Why is it important to have regular dental checkups for my cat and dog?
Animals don't have the same abilities to keep their teeth and gums fresh and healthy like we do. They can't brush their own teeth, they can't floss, and unfortunately they can't rid off bad breath with a few Tic-Tacs. So it is up to you and I to help their mouth stay as healthy as possible, for their sake and ours.  Cats, dogs and even pocket pets can have several different oral problems.  Tartar buildups cause gingivitis and root decay.  Teeth can loosen as a pet ages which makes everyday trips to the food dish painful and uncomfortable.  When there is a gap between a tooth and the gum, it can become a very good home to several bacteria, causing an infection. Quite often we see growths and tumors on the gingiva of cats and dogs.  As with any tumor, it is important to monitor the size and shape of it and eventually remove it if it begins to cause trauma or discomfort to your pet. All of these examples are just a few of the most common things we look for during dental checkups. It may seem funny to clean the teeth of animals that groom themselves and eat anything they see, but it's actually very logical. 
2.
What happens during a dental?
During a dental cleaning, your pet is put under gas anesthesia.  Once they are asleep, we examine each and every tooth to look for specific concerns or problems.  With a "calculus cracker" we go through and remove any major tartar buildups. This is only used for severe tartar buildups that our scaler can not get through.  Then with a "ultrasonic scaler" we use a combination of water and vibration to clear the teeth of plaque and bacteria. With a flavored fluoride polish, we then go over each tooth with the polisher to fill any grooves in the tooth, acting as an invisible protective layer.  The doctor will then check the "sulcal depth" of each tooth, meaning that he will measure and examine any gaps or pockets between a tooth and the gingiva. If there are no problems noted, we will rinse out the patients' mouth and remove them from anesthesia so that they may recover and go home later that day with a clean, fresh mouth.
3.
When do baby teeth and adult teeth grow in animals?
Baby teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, erupt in kittens and puppies generally at 2-3 weeks of age.  They should have all their baby teeth by 8 weeks of age. During that first 8 weeks they go through a teething phase just like babies do. Keep your shoes in the closet! Adult teeth or permanent teeth will then begin to erupt at 4-6 months. At approximately 7 months of age your puppy or kitten should have a full set of permanent teeth.