Dentistry

TULSA VETERINARY DENTISTRY

Treating Your Pet’s Total Health

Yes, it’s true that your pet doesn’t brush their teeth, but that doesn’t mean that dental care isn’t important for their overall well-being! In fact, periodontal disease is one of the most common disorders that pets suffer from, especially after the age of three. This can lead to pain and irritation, loss of teeth, infections, and even issues with their kidneys, liver, and heart. To put things in perspective, imagine just how you would feel if you never took care of your teeth.

Overview

Studies show that 50% of all dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease. That number jumps to 80% in pets that are 3 years of age or older. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause infection, pain, and tooth loss over time. It can also lead to serious health problems like microscopic changes in the heart, liver, and kidneys. Because of this, we recommend an annual veterinary dental healthcare examination for all pets.

Caring for Your Pet’s Oral Health

At Southern Hills Veterinary Hospital, we want the best for your pet, as we know you do too. 

We provide comprehensive oral health services that include:

• Annual cleanings

• Preventative care

• Emergency services

We recommend that your beloved furry pet receives dental care at least once a year by one of our dedicated veterinarians.

Keep an eye out for any of the following symptoms. These can indicate early signs of a larger problem, one that will only get worse without proper care:

• Broken, loose, or missing teeth

• Bad breath

• Discoloration or tartar

• Bleeding

• Lack of interest or refusal to eat

• Odd chewing habits or drooling

• Irritation around the mouth

• Swelling

Your pet may also begin to behave irrationally due to irritation, so if you notice odd behavior, bring them into our animal hospital so that our Tulsa veterinarians can take a look and determine a cause.

Why do pets need dental care?

Many health problems start in the mouth. Plaque, tartar, periodontal disease, and infected teeth serve as a source of inflammation and infection for the rest of the body.

Dental disease is one of the most common problems that we see in dogs and cats. It can cause drooling, reluctance to eat, swelling, bad breath, redness of the gums, loose teeth and tooth discoloration.

Helping Your Pet at Home

For extra preventative dental care, we recommend simple actions to take at home. Depending on your pet’s disposition, it might be hard to brush their teeth (if they let you, it can go a long way).

There are also countless products on the market that can enhance their dental health. Not every product is effective, however, so talk to one of our veterinarians to find a good fit for your cat or dog.

When should I seek dental care for my pet?

Dental issues and dental-related diseases can easily be prevented by visiting our veterinarians regularly for dental examinations and cleanings. We take a comprehensive approach to dental care including dental health assessment, treatment, and prevention.

How does it work?

Teeth Exams, Cleaning and Polishing

Dog and cat dental cleanings are very similar to human dental cleanings, except that we are required to use anesthesia to properly and safely examine and clean the teeth. After the cleaning, our veterinarians perform a thorough oral exam and check for signs of disease like gum loss, root exposure, or pockets around the root.

Also similar to human dentistry, we do full mouth radiographs (x-rays) of your pet. This allows our veterinarians to be able to evaluate the roots of your pet's teeth as well as any disease or abnormalities that are located below the gum line and not visible on examination alone.

Tooth Extractions

We make every effort to save teeth that we feel have a chance to be successfully treated. In many circumstances, however, periodontal disease is so advanced that treatment without extraction is unsuccessful. We only extract teeth that in the doctor's opinion are beyond saving.

Minor Oral Surgery

Many teeth require oral surgery to safely remove each individual root. We have extensive training and experience to perform these procedures properly. Pain medications are administered in clinic and provided for in-home aftercare.

At Southern Hills Veterinary Hospital, we truly care about each and every animal that we see because we know how important they are to you and your loved ones. We provide flexible payment options so be sure to contact us today to schedule an appointment for veterinary dentistry in Tulsa.