Imagine what your teeth would feel like after not brushing them for one week, let alone one year or more. This is the reality for our pets, which is why dental disease is the most common disease in pets today. So much so, that over 85% of dogs and cats over four years of age have some form of dental disease.
Don’t wait for these signs before brushing up on your pet’s dental care: bad breath, excessive salivation, red or bleeding gums, decreased appetite, pain while chewing, pawing at the face and mouth, and tooth loss.
At Superior Animal Hospital, we combat dental disease with dental exams, dental x-rays, professional dental cleanings, specific dental therapy, and individualized advice for at-home care.
A dental exam is part of every wellness visit at Superior Animal Hospital. One of our veterinarians will visually check your pet’s teeth and gums for signs of dental disease, if found, we’ll and discuss the stage of dental disease observed.
Digital radiography may be needed to make a complete diagnosis since half of your pet’s teeth are unseen below the gum line. This will help our veterinarians pinpoint the exact location and severity of dental disease, as well as diagnose potential underlying issues like tooth fractures, diseased teeth and roots, cysts, foreign objects, and more.
Annual dental cleanings are recommended to maximize dental health. All dental cleanings are performed under general anesthesia for the safety, as well as complete necessary care. In addition to cleaning the teeth, the entire mouth is examined, and dental x-rays are taken for complete oral assessment and diagnosis. We find that pets experience procedural benefits right away, including less oral pain, fresher breath, and an improved ability to chew. We offer discounts of 10% on patients receiving annual dental care.
In severe cases, oral surgery may be recommended to completely relieve pain and infection.
It’s ideal to brush your pet’s teeth daily or weekly to clean away plaque and tartar build up. But, we understand that some pets may not tolerate brushing at home. That’s okay! There are many other great dental alternatives like dental treats, dental chews, dental toys, dental rinses, and dental gels that break down plaque and tartar while your pet chews. Please, no human toothpaste! Use only pet-safe products to avoid nausea or toxicity.
We also recommend Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d, which is specially formulated to help remove tartar from tooth surface and lengthen the time between professional cleanings.
Located in the North Hwy 2/53 Corridor of Superior, just minutes from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and downtown Duluth, MN.
Phone: 715-392-6211