At Maple City Animal Hospital, we understand the importance of your pet's dental health. Just like humans, pets can suffer from dental issues that can lead to pain, infection, and even more serious health problems if left untreated. That is why we offer a full range of dental services to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy. Dental cleanings are performed with your pet under anesthesia to provide your pet with a pain free and less stressful experience.
Regular dental exams are essential for catching issues early. During these exams, we check your pet’s teeth, gums, and overall oral health to look for signs of pain from dental disease, such as tartar buildup, gingivitis, tooth fracture or tooth decay.
Digital dental X-rays are a crucial part of our dental services. They allow us to see below the surface of your pet's teeth and gums, revealing hidden issues that may not be visible during a routine exam. Dental X-rays can help detect problems such as abscesses, tooth root infections, bone loss, or impacted teeth, enabling us to address these concerns before they lead to more severe complications.
Professional teeth cleaning, which is done under anesthesia, is an essential part of preventive dental care. During the procedure, we remove plaque and tartar buildup below the gumline, which can cause gum disease, tooth loss, and infections. After cleaning, we polish your pet's teeth to smooth the surfaces and help prevent future plaque buildup to promote fresher smelling breath.
LEARN MOREIf your pet has damaged or severely decayed or fractured teeth, or advanced periodontal disease, surgery may be necessary. Dental blocks are used to ensure a pain free experience even after your pet has gone home. We perform extractions using a high-speed instrument with care to minimize discomfort and utilize modern techniques in gingival surgery to ensure the best outcome for your pet. Dental X-rays are used to assess the full extent of the issue and guide us through the extraction process.
We provide guidance on at-home dental care, such as proper brushing techniques, dental chews, and oral rinses, to help you maintain your pet's dental health between professional cleanings.
At Maple City Animal Hospital, our goal is to help your pet maintain a healthy mouth and avoid painful dental conditions. Whether it’s a routine cleaning or a more complex dental procedure, our team is here to provide compassionate, expert care tailored to your pet’s individual needs. Regular dental checkups are an essential part of your pet’s overall wellness, and we are here to ensure your pet’s smile stays bright and healthy for years to come.
While anesthesia-free dental cleanings may seem like an attractive option, they come with significant limitations. Without anesthesia, it is impossible to thoroughly clean below the gumline, perform a complete oral exam, or treat more serious dental issues that may arise.
Dental health is crucial for your pet's overall wellbeing. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to more concerning dental and costly problems down the road. By ensuring your pet's teeth and gums are properly cleaned and examined, you're investing in their long-term health and happiness. At Maple City Animal Hospital, we believe in providing the most comprehensive and effective dental care for your pet.
When it comes to your pet's dental health, dental cleaning under anesthesia is the gold standard. While anesthesia-free dental cleanings are sometimes marketed as a less invasive option, there are several important reasons why cleaning under anesthesia is generally the better choice for ensuring your pet's health and well-being.
The most significant advantage of dental cleaning under anesthesia is the ability to clean below the gumline. This area is where plaque and tartar accumulate most, leading to the majority of dental issues, including gum disease and tooth decay.
Anesthesia allows us to safely and thoroughly clean every tooth, even those difficult to reach areas, to prevent infection, gum disease, and tooth loss.
When your pet is under anesthesia, we can perform a detailed examination of their mouth to identify issues that are not visible during a regular cleaning. For example, we can check for abscesses, fractures, periodontal disease, and hidden infections. This thorough exam can detect early-stage problems, allowing us to intervene before they become more serious and potentially painful for your pet.
Under anesthesia, your pet is completely relaxed and unaware of the procedure. This means no stress, discomfort, or fear during the cleaning process.
Anesthesia-free cleanings, on the other hand, can be stressful for pets, especially if they are not accustomed to the procedure. Without the calming effects of anesthesia, pets may struggle, making the cleaning less effective and potentially causing anxiety.
If we identify any dental problems such as tooth decay, gum infection, or fractured teeth, anesthesia allows us to perform necessary treatments like extractions or other procedures immediately. This approach prevents additional pain or unnecessary trauma to your pet.
Anesthesia-free cleanings are limited in their ability to address more serious dental issues and may not allow for proper treatment of dental disease.
Dental health is closely linked to your pet's overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to bacterial infections that spread to vital organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Cleaning under anesthesia ensures we remove all plaque and tartar, preventing long-term health complications related to oral disease. This proactive approach helps avoid more serious health issues in the future.
Anesthesia-free dental cleanings require your pet to remain still for a prolonged period of time while their teeth are cleaned. Many pets find this procedure uncomfortable or stressful, especially if they are anxious or don't enjoy having their mouth touched.
For pets who are nervous or sensitive, this can create a traumatic experience that could make them fearful of future veterinary visits. In contrast, dental cleaning under anesthesia ensures that your pet remains calm and relaxed, reducing their stress levels.
Without anesthesia, it's difficult for a veterinarian to thoroughly assess your pet's teeth and gums. Issues like tooth decay, gum infections, and fractures may go unnoticed, leading to undiagnosed pain or infection.
Anesthesia allows for a detailed and comprehensive oral exam, which is essential for detecting hidden dental issues early, before they cause long-term harm.
Anesthesia-free dental cleanings focus primarily on cleaning the visible surfaces of the teeth, which means that plaque and tartar below the gumline are left untreated. This is where the majority of dental disease begins and where harmful bacteria thrive.
Without cleaning below the gumline, dental problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease can continue to develop and worsen, even after the cleaning.
Teeth may appear whiter but the actual cause of the dental disease still remains.
Anesthesia-free cleanings are typically performed by non-veterinary professionals and may not be as thorough or effective as cleaning done by a trained veterinary team. Since anesthesia-free procedures are typically limited to scaling the visible surfaces, they may leave behind tartar or plaque that contributes to long-term dental problems.
Our veterinary team uses professional-grade equipment and techniques to ensure every aspect of your pet's dental health is addressed.
If a pet becomes stressed or attempts to resist the procedure during an anesthesia-free cleaning, there is an increased risk of injury. For example, a pet may accidentally bite or move unexpectedly, leading to accidental injury to their mouth, teeth, tongue or gums.
Under anesthesia, we can safely and carefully clean your pet's teeth, minimizing the risk of injury during the procedure.
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