Pet Dentistry at Best Friends Veterinary Center in Grafton, WI

Signs Your Pet Needs Dental Care

Pets often hide their discomfort, so it’s important to watch for signs that may indicate a dental problem. Here are some symptoms that suggest your pet might need dental care:

• Bad breath: Persistent foul odor from the mouth.
• Excessive drooling: Drooling more than usual, especially if it’s accompanied by blood.
• Difficulty eating: Reluctance to eat, dropping food, or chewing on one side of the mouth.
• Gum issues: Red, swollen, or bleeding gums.
• Tooth problems: Broken, loose, or discolored teeth.
• Behavioral changes: Increased irritability or reluctance to play with chew toys.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to book appointment for a dental exam.

Our Pet Dentistry Services

At Best Friends Veterinary Center, we provide comprehensive pet dentistry services, including:

• Routine Teeth Cleaning: Removing plaque and tartar to prevent dental disease.
• Dental X-rays: Assessing the health of teeth below the gumline.
• Tooth Extractions: Removing damaged or infected teeth to prevent further issues.
• Oral Surgery: Addressing more complex dental problems, including tumor removal.

Benefits of Regular Pet Dentistry

• Prevents Dental Disease: Reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
• Improves Overall Health: Poor dental health can lead to serious issues like heart, liver, and kidney disease.
• Enhances Quality of Life: Keeping your pet’s mouth healthy helps them enjoy eating, playing, and living pain-free.
• Extends Life Expectancy: Pets that receive dental care live two years longer on average.

Canine Resorptive Lesion Case

This is Weilly, who is a 9-year-old West Highland white terrier (Weilly the Westie!) He came to our animal hospital for a dental cleaning. Once we cleaned the plaque and tartar from the teeth, we could see three problems. He had a 4th upper premolar tooth that was discolored, which signified that at least one root of this three-rooted tooth was dead, leaving the tooth without its normal blood supply. In addition, both his lower 1st molars had holes in them on the tongue sides of the teeth (where they couldn’t be seen without anesthesia).

X-rays of these three teeth revealed holes in the enamel and dentin of the teeth. We call these cavities “resorptive lesions” because the tooth structure is being reabsorbed back into the body, leaving a gaping hole and exposed pulp and nerve tissue. Ouch! The large, irregularly shaped hole in the upper 4th premolar had almost eaten entirely through the bone between the two roots and one of the roots as well.

Weilly’s owners were faced with the choice between extracting all three teeth for a good sum of money or extracting just the upper tooth and having root canals and fillings for the lower molars by a dental specialist for an even greater sum of money – several thousand dollars. These are three of the four largest chewing teeth in the dog’s mouth, so saving two of them would be desirable, owner’s financing permitting. Unfortunately for both the pet and the pet owner, Weilly is likely to develop more resorptive lesions in the future, as the cause is unknown, and no preventative treatment would safeguard the rest of his teeth. Which option would you choose if this were your pet?

Book Your Pet’s Dental Exam Today

Don’t wait until dental problems affect your pet’s health. Contact Best Friends Veterinary Center in Grafton, WI, today to book a comprehensive pet teeth cleaning and dental exam. Our experienced team is here to ensure your pet’s smile stays healthy for years to come.