February is Pet Dental Health Month
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At Best Friends Animal Hospital, we are celebrating by offering a $20 discount on dental cleaning procedures between January 31 and March 4.
Sometimes we can easily tell when a pet is suffering from dental pain. For example, they may paw at their face, exhibit bleeding, altered eating, or facial swelling. Most of the time there are NO obvious signs. Just take a look at these facts:
- By the age of 2 years, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease.
- Most dogs and cats over five years of age have at least one painful tooth in their mouth.
- Periodontal infections have been linked to diabetes, heart attack, strokes, kidney disease, and other life threatening disorders.
- Periodontal disease is one of the most common medical conditions diagnosed in dogs and cats.
A dental cleaning/polishing involves several very important steps. General anesthesia is required for dental treatments in dogs and cats, and your pet's safety is our first concern. We have modern equipment and well trained staff which has led to our outstanding safety record. Although the tooth crown above the gums is most visible, the roots below the gums are just as important! We routinely perform dental x-rays which give us valuable information about the health of the teeth and gums guide our treatment. These pictures below illustrate the visual appearance of one of our patient's teeth before and after a dental cleaning/polishing.
After performing a dental cleaning/polishing, we like to discuss regular preventive dental care with all of our patients. One of the most effective things you can do at home is brush your pet's teeth. Check out this link a short video by AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) of how to properly brush your pet's teeth at home.
According to Dr. Niemiec, a board certified veterinary dental specialist, "The best way to prevent periodontal disease is by regular brushing your pet's teeth and by regularly visiting your veterinarian."
Don't let your pet suffer in silence! Please call us 406-255-0500 to schedule an examination to evaluate your pet's teeth and see if a dental procedure will benefit him or her.
