Dental Hygiene Matters
Dental health plays an important role in your pet’s overall comfort and long-term health. For both cats and dogs, dental disease is one of the most common conditions we see and many painful problems develop below the gum line where they cannot be seen during a routine exam.
Every dental procedure includes full-mouth dental radiographs (X-rays), allowing our doctors to evaluate the health of the teeth and bone below the gum line. Dental X-rays are an important part of identifying painful or damaged teeth that may not be visible during a routine oral exam alone.
Our doctors remain closely involved throughout the entire process. If additional findings or treatment recommendations arise during the procedure, we communicate directly with owners before moving forward whenever possible. Following your pet’s dental procedure, the doctor will review findings with you, discuss any treatment performed, and go over home care and recovery instructions. A follow-up recheck appointment is typically included to help ensure proper healing and comfort.
Signs of dental disease can include:
- Bad breath
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Difficulty chewing or reluctance to eat
- Red or inflamed gums
- Loose or damaged teeth
At South Seminole Animal Hospital, dental procedures are performed under general anesthesia and approached with the same attention to safety, monitoring, and individualized care as any surgical procedure. Before anesthesia, we require pre-anesthetic bloodwork to help identify underlying conditions that could affect your pet’s safety. For pets with a diagnosed heart murmur, additional cardiac screening such as an echocardiogram may also be recommended prior to the procedure.
If you have questions about your pet’s dental health or would like to schedule a dental evaluation, our team would be happy to help.