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Sacramento Animal Hospital Sacramento Animal Hospital

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Oral Hygiene & Dental Care Are Critical to Your Pet’s Overall Health

Cat being given dental care

Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health. Dental problems can cause other serious health conditions. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least annually by your veterinarian, and in some small or toy breed dogs this may need to be done more frequently.

At Sacramento Animal Hospital, we pride ourselves at staying on the forefront of cutting-edge dentistry and we understand the concern you may have regarding putting your pet under anesthesia for this procedure.

During your pet’s wellness visit, our doctors will perform a thorough oral exam, but as most dental disease occurs below the gumline where it’s not visible, a comprehensive dental cleaning and evaluation are performed under anesthesia. The cleaning procedure itself is very similar to the process used on your own teeth and involves scaling (to remove tartar and plaque), polishing, and any extractions which may be necessary based on dental x-rays.

To find out more about what dental cleanings look like at Sacramento Animal Hospital, click here for a detailed tour.

Prevent Dental Disease in Your Pet

We recommend a three-step process for the prevention of dental disease in your pet:

  1. At-home care — Your pet’s dental care begins with you. Simple steps such as maintaining a regular teeth cleaning schedule and purchasing quality pet foods, treats, and chew toys can all assist in your pet’s dental well-being.
  2. Regularly scheduled veterinary exams — Prevention is the best course of action when it comes to pet dental care. This is why it is so important to schedule regular visits to ensure your pet receives routine examination of teeth, gums, and mouth as part of an annual wellness exam.
  3. Yearly teeth cleaning — Because pets age quicker than people do, a yearly dental cleaning becomes crucial, as it is the equivalent of humans only seeing a dentist every 5–7 years! Since periodontal disease can affect so many vital organ systems, routine pet dental cleaning is often one of the most important things you can do to extend the quality of your pet’s life.