Jefferson City Pet Dental Services

Pets can be burdened by dental problems and diseases just like humans. Dental disease can be painful, inhibit proper nutrition and lead to other serious systemic issues that may threaten your pet's overall health. Regular dental check-ups with your Jefferson City veterinarian, combined with good dental hygiene at home, can increase your pet's health, vitality and well-being and help ensure your pet leads the best life possible.

Protecting Your Pet’s Dental Health

The veterinarians and staff believe that the foundation of good dental care begins with a complete oral exam followed by a thorough cleaning with ultrasonic scalers designed to remove tartar and slow its buildup.

At Animal Medical Center of Jefferson City, we provide dental care that includes:

• Oral examinations under anesthesia
• Teeth cleanings with ultrasonic scalers
• Diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease
• Tooth extractions and polishing
• Minor oral surgery
• Digital dental radiographs

Digital radiographs allow the veterinarians to receive a detailed image of your pet's teeth within seconds. Because the results appear so quickly and clearly, we're often able to diagnose and make treatment recommendations fast and effectively.

If we find any evidence of gum or tooth erosion, gingivitis, or excessive plaque buildup, we will discuss this with you and recommend treatment options for your pet.

Signs of Pet Dental Problems

Classic "doggy breath" is not necessarily normal. Halitosis, or bad breath, is the most common symptom of periodontal disease—an infection of the gums and potentially the other supporting structures of the teeth—and is sometimes the only warning sign pet owners notice.

Plaque builds up every day on the tooth surface including at the gum line. Left in place, the plaque can mineralize, or harden, in less than two days, forming calculus or tartar. The continued build-up of tartar—both above and below the gum line—can create an environment where destructive bacteria can flourish, causing damage to periodontal tissue and producing an offensive odor.

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Additional signs of dental disease include:

• Red and swollen gums
• Pain or bleeding
• Loose or missing teeth
• A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line
• Decreased appetite or difficulty eating

Pets tend to hide discomfort from dental disease until the problem becomes severe. That is why the veterinarians at Animal Medical Center of Jefferson City recommend your pet's teeth are consistently examined to catch any problem early.