Dental Care

You are a wonderful pet owner and you take good care of your four-legged companion.  But do you always remember to take care of your pet’s teeth? Maybe you’ve tried, but your dog or cat just won’t let you near his or her mouth. We understand how difficult caring for your pet’s teeth can be, and we’re here to help!

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Dogs and cats can be burdened by dental diseases and problems just as easily as we are. Regular dental check-ups at Packanack Animal Hospital, combined with good dental hygiene at home, can increase your pet’s health, vitality, and well-being while helping ensure he or she leads the best life possible.

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Untreated dental disease can be painful, inhibit proper nutrition, and lead to serious health problems such as infection and bone loss. For those reasons, our veterinary team strongly considers dental care an important piece of your pet’s preventive health care program.

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Dental Care at Packanack Veterinary Hospital

Our veterinarians and staff believe the centerpiece of good dental care is a complete oral exam followed by a thorough cleaning under the gum line with ultrasonic scalers designed to remove plaque and slow its buildup.

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Your pet’s dental appointment will include:

• Oral examinations under anesthesia
• Diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease
• Full mouth digital X-rays
• Supra and sub-gingival scaling
• Tooth extractions
• Polishing
• Irrigation

Should we find any issue—such as evidence of gum or tooth erosion, gingivitis, or damaged teeth—we will discuss this with you and offer treatment options. We are experienced dental practitioners and can offer a number of dental procedures and oral surgeries.

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Dental Care at Home

You can prevent serious dental problems by making sure your pet receives dental exams at the time of each vaccination, again at six months of age, and then once a year as they age. In between regular appointments, check your pet’s teeth regularly for signs of problems. Brushing their teeth is the single most important procedure you can do to maintain good oral health. If performed regularly, brushing dramatically decreases the incidence of gingivitis and can save a lot of pain and money in the long run.  If you are unsure of how to brush your pet’s teeth, please ask a staff member for instructions (chicken-flavored toothpaste helps, too!).