Pet Dental

Pet Dental in Safety Harbor, FL

Bad breath is more than an annoyance it can usually be an indication of pet dental problems.
85% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years have some form of dental disease, making it one of the most common problems we see in dogs and cats.

Pet dental disease left untreated can cause gingivitis, infection, and tooth loss. Poor dental hygiene leads to the buildup of tartar and bacteria that is constantly being swallowed. Periodontal disease can lead to cardiac issues and kidney disease, and studies have shown that untreated pet dental disease can potentially spread infection throughout the body.

At the Animal Hospital of Northwood, we believe the same standard of care for human teeth and gums is just as important for cats and dogs by taking dental x-rays, using instruments that are sterilized between patients.

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What Does Pet Dentistry Involve?

Our pet dental cleanings consist of:

  • Pre-anesthetic blood work
  • Pre-anesthetic physical exam
  • IV catheter and fluids
  • Individualized anesthesia with each patient receiving a new sterile endotracheal tube rather than one that has been used before on another animal.
  • Extensive anesthetic monitoring
  • A detailed oral exam
  • FULL mouth digital radiographs
  • Complete ultrasonic scaling and root planing which removes plaque and tartar on the crown and below the gum line. Our dental instruments are medically sterilized after every use.
  • Measurement and charting of dental pockets in millimeters from the top of the pocket to where the tissue is connected to the root.
  • High-speed polishing of the teeth
  • Therapy laser treatment
  • A pet dental chart which shows the anatomy of your pets’ teeth in detail and will remain a part of their dental medical record.

If any abnormalities are found the doctor will discuss treatment options and proceed with your permission.

We can address pet dental problems such as:

  • Oral masses
  • Feline oral root lesions (FORL)
  • Abscessed teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Baby (deciduous) teeth
  • Periodontal disease
  • Bone loss
  • Mobile teeth
  • And more!

Our veterinarians have taken additional pet dental education courses which make their skills in dentistry more precise. All dental extraction patients that require drilling utilize a new dental bur to minimize oral damage and a new sterile surgery grade suture to assist the gum tissue with healing. Local pain blocks and pain medication are administered in the hospital and sent home to ensure patient comfort.

Home care will be presented to you at discharge and any recommendations to prevent future dental problems will be covered.
Pet dental care can increase the life expectancy of your pet by 20%.
Our dental prices are all-inclusive of the care described above, for a current plan for your pet please call our office.

The Animal Hospital of Northwood is accepting new patients from the Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Oldsmar area. We would be happy to help your pet.

We are proud to have top-rated pet dental services in Safety Harbor, FL – Click here to check out our 5-star reviews!

 

Over the past several years you may have seen groomers and pet shops advertising a pet dental procedure called Anesthesia Free Dentals (AFD) or Non-Anesthesia Dentistry (NAD). At first glance, this may seem appealing. It appears less expensive and avoids the need for anesthesia, which many people find scary. But in reality, these procedures are not only ineffective they can end up being more expensive and can even be harmful to your pet.

During an anesthesia-free dental, the pet must be restrained to scale the tartar and plaque from the teeth and this can be very stressful for your pet. Tarter likes to live under the gum line, but scaling close to the gum line and tooth root and can be extremely painful. The bacteria that causes pet dental disease is found below the gum line and is unable to be addressed with an anesthesia-free dental. Pet dental disease below the gum line leads to painful periodontal disease which is the most common illness diagnosed in animals and affects surfaces 360 degrees around the tooth. Consider putting a fresh coat of paint on a rusty/dirty car. It looks great, but you are hiding the real problem. When the pet’s crown of the tooth looks good, you are tempted to delay when your pet gets a real dental cleaning that will actually address the disease under the gums that you can’t see.

Sometimes when removing the tarter bad teeth are revealed and a groomer is not qualified to handle that. In many states a Non-Anesthesia pet dental is illegal and legislation prohibits non-veterinarians from scaling plaque or tartar from an animal’s mouth. Think of it for yourself, would you go to a salon or a clothing store to have your teeth cleaned?

We offer complimentary pet dental exams with our technicians so you can have a professional second opinion if you are considering an AFD.

The Animal Hospital of Northwood is accepting new patients from the Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Oldsmar area. We would be happy to help your pet.