Pet Dental Care From Our Mokena Veterinarian
At Mokena Animal Clinic, Ltd., our Mokena veterinarian team is committed to providing dogs and cats alike with the highest standard of veterinary care. One aspect of pet health and wellness that some owners forget about is that of dental care. In many ways, your pet's oral health is just as important as his or her overall physical health, and the two are even intertwined.
Understanding the Importance of Pet Dental Care
Pet dental care is important for a number of undeniable reasons. For starters, your pet's oral health is often a reflection of his or her overall health. In fact, pets with oral health problems often have underlying medical issues, including problems with cardiovascular health.
Furthermore, pets who do not receive regular dental care have an extremely high risk of developing gum disease and even periodontal disease by the age of three. This disease can lead to inflammation and bleeding of the gums, and eventually, permanent tooth loss. When your pet loses adult teeth, this can have a serious impact on his or her quality of life. Specifically, lost teeth can make eating solid foods difficult for your pet, which can affect their nutrition.
And of course, gum disease (as well as tooth decay and other dental problems) can be very painful for your pet. Unfortunately, pet owners can't often tell when their pets are in pain due to a dental problem, so they could suffer for months or even years before the issue is addressed.
By providing your pet with regular dental examinations and cleanings, you can do your part to protect your pet from these all-too-common issues. Furthermore, you can enjoy the added peace of mind in knowing your pet is less likely to need expensive dental work down the road.
Services Offered By Our Mokena Animal Clinic
At Mokena Animal Clinic, Ltd., we offer a wide range of dental services to cats and dogs alike. For starters, our vets can provide routine dental exams to check for signs of oral health problems, including cavities, gum disease, and infected teeth. We generally recommend that your pet has one of these exams per year.
In addition to routine exams, we also recommend regular dental cleanings. These allow us to remove plaque buildup from your pet's mouth, in addition to polishing the teeth. We also perform cavity fillings to address decay, as well as tooth extractions for infected teeth. Ultimately, our goal is to protect your pet's oral and dental health with routine care and treatment as needed.
Additional Tips for At-Home Pet Dental Care
In addition to bringing your pet in for regular cleanings and exams, we also recommend taking steps at home to protect your pet's dental health. If you're not doing so already, you should begin brushing your pet's teeth at least a few times a week, which will help to remove plaque in between dental appointments with our vet. There are also some great pet toys that help to remove plaque in a way that is more comfortable for your pet than a tooth-brushing!
Flavorless water additives can also be placed in your pet's water to help protect against future build-up. All of these small steps can add up to a huge difference when it comes to your pet's overall dental health. We highly recommend that you take these steps in addition to seeing our vet for regular dental care in order to achieve the best level of protection.
Schedule Your Appointment With Our Mokena Veterinarians Today
If your pet is due for a dental exam or if you'd like to schedule any other type of service with our Mokena veterinarians, simply give our office a call at 708-479-2811. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our practice when you call as well!
