We complete dental examinations during all routine examinations at Fairview Heights and O’Fallon Animal Clinics. During a dental examination, we will look at the teeth and gums to find any signs of dental disease, tartar or plaque buildup, inflamed gums, or tooth decay. If you notice any signs of dental disease like difficulty eating, excessive drooling, or bad breath, please let us know.
Depending on the results of the dental examination, our veterinarian might recommend a professional dental cleaning, with we offer at our facilities.
We are happy to provide dental scaling and polishing to remove tartar and plaque buildup from the teeth and gums of your pet. To do this, we preform perform preanesthetic blood tests to monitor kidney and liver function. We will take dental radiographs to see if there are any issues like abscesses, fractures, or bone loss underneath the gum line. We also give your pet an antibiotic treatment before full dental prophylaxis.
During the procedure, we will perform tooth scaling by hand and with ultrasonic cleaning tools to remove tartar above and below the gum line. All dental cleanings are performed under general anesthesia. Once scaling is complete, we polish the teeth to make sure plaque does not build up on the teeth. During the procedure, we might find additional work that needs to be done, like extraction. We will call you if we notice anything abnormal and discuss options with you.
If we notice signs of dental disease during our examination, we might recommend dental radiography. Most dental disease is found below the gum line, so x-rays allow us to get a better idea of how severe the dental disease is. It will help us see rotting teeth or diseased teeth and foreign objects that might be lodged under the gums. Depending on the result of the radiographs, we might recommend extraction or a deep cleaning.
At-home dental care is just as important as examinations and cleanings at our offices. Try to brush your pet’s teeth daily to prevent buildup of tartar and plaque. We understand that some pets might not allow this, so we can also recommend dental chews and treats that help break down tartar. Early introduction to dental care will make them much more comfortable as they get older, so try to practice proper dental hygiene as soon as you get your pet.
Never use human products on your pets. These can be harmful and are not designed to kill the same bacteria that are found in your pet’s mouth. Instead, opt for canine or feline specific dental products so they have a healthy smile.
Phone: 618-398-1530
Phone: 618-632-6303
