Dentistry and Dental X-rays

Oral & Dental Health

Often overlooked as it relates to a pet's comprehensive health status, animal dental care is needed to provide quality of life and optimal well-being. If left untreated, diseases of the mouth, gums or jaw are not only painful to your companion, but may also be contributing factors to more widespread systemic disease processes. The American Veterinary Dental Society reports that 70-85% of dogs and cats show signs of oral disease by age 3.

The beginning and severity of periodontal disease depends on age, breed, diet and at-home care, with younger, small-breed dogs typically presenting with infection earlier than large-breed dogs. Abnormal signs and symptoms of dental abnormalities include: pain, bad breath, excessive drooling, fractured or loose teeth, swelling or bleeding of the gums, tumors, sores or wounds.

Your Hillside Veterinary team will be certain that your companion animal receives proper dental care from the start. The oral examination performed by your Hillside doctor is the basis of the preliminary treatment plan for your pet. A comprehensive, specific plan can only be determined after your animal has been placed under anesthesia and x-rays of the oral cavity have been taken. General anesthesia is necessary for pets undergoing dental treatment.

While it is understandable that pet owners may be concerned about bad breath and unsightly tartar accumulation, regular dental care is more than cosmetic: Tartar and plaque, often invaded by bacteria, need to be removed to counteract subsequent infection, gingivitis or pyorrhea (infection of tissues surrounding the teeth), with 60% of disease occurring below the gum line.

Hillside Veterinary staff is well-skilled and equipped to perform dental procedures such as:

• Dental X-rays
• Ultrasound de-scaling of tartar
• Deep-gum cleaning
• Application of Oravet dental sealants to minimize staining and invasion of bacteria
• Fluoride treatments
• Teeth polishing
• Extractions

After your pet's treatment, you and your Hillside team can discuss home dental care for your companion animal in order to understand how to maintain a disease-free oral cavity and to maximize his or her comfort and quality of life.

WHY HAVE MY PET'S TEETH CLEANED PROFESSIONALLY?

Did you know about 85% of dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease? Proper dental care is critical to a pet's overall good health. If oral infection such as periodontal disease is left untreated, bacteria can travel through the bloodstream and damage internal organs. Animals can suffer the same kinds of dental problems as humans, including infection, severe pain, and fractured teeth.

Periodontal Disease warning signs include:

• Bad breath
• Tartar (yellow) buildup on the teeth
• Swollen, receding, or bleeding gums
• Change in eating habits
• Excessive drooling

• Fractured or abscessed teeth

Hillside's Young Pet Dental Program is an affordable way to help your young furry family members maintain good dental health...

Hillside's Young Pet Dental Program Criteria for all dogs and cats:

• must be 7 years old or younger
• must be current on vaccinations or be brought up to date here for $80.00
• must have record of normal lab work or we will do it for $65.00
• must not have a heart murmur
• must not need dental extractions
• if no lab work is needed and the vaccinations are current, the fee for this package ranges from $120-$160 determined by size

Hillside is offering this service on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays only.

Call us for more info or to make an appointment 214-824-0397

Dental X-rays

Dental x-rays help us view the hidden.

Dental care is an important part of keeping pets healthy, and, just like you and me, pets need dental x-rays, too. X-rays help us view and then appropriately treat teeth and bone that are hidden from view.

Examining a pet's mouth can be compared to a wrapped present. You may be able to guess what's inside by looking at the box, but until you open it, you'll never know what's within.

Dental x-ray allows your veterinarian to examine teeth, bone and the supporting structures below the gum line. X-rays often reveal hidden and painful conditions and for that reason, Hillside Veterinary Clinic recommends dental x-rays for all of our dental procedures.

When should dental x-rays be taken?

DENTAL PREVENTATIVE CARE

Dental care for animals is similar to dental care for humans, only animals can't brush their own teeth. To prevent dental programs select one or more of these option:

• Brush pet's teeth with pecially formulated pet toothpaste. Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans
• Use C.E.T. Enzyme chews daily to help breakdown plaque and tartar
• Schedule regular professional teeth cleanings by Hillside Veterinary Clinic