February is Pet Dental Health Month….

Have you ever wondered why there is a bad smell that lingers with every kiss or nuzzle from your pet? Just like people, our dogs & cats occasionally need professional dental cleanings and at home care to protect their teeth, gums, and overall health. By the age of three, most of our patients are suffering from some form of dental disease.

One of the earliest symptoms of dental disease is bad breath, which is commonly due to periodontal disease. Gingivitis and periodontal disease (inflammation and infection of the gums) form secondary to plaque accumulation and bacteria in the mouth. Dental disease can be very painful and ultimately lead to a noticeable decline in quality of life. Fortunately, with routine dental exams, preventive and maintenance care, these problems may be caught early, addressed quickly, or perhaps avoided all together.

You can help prevent dental disease with routine brushing, dental chews, or by using a variety of other available dental products. However, it is inevitable that every pet will at some point begin to accumulate tartar and bacteria in the mouth. When needed, we can provide your pet with a Dental Cleaning and Polishing. This is an outpatient procedure which includes a thorough oral exam, ultrasonic scaling, polishing, fluoride treatment, and the application of a concentrated sealant to provide a barrier for new plaque accumulation. Daily brushing and/or weekly sealant application will help to extend the life of the cleaning. During the month of February we will be offering 20% off dental cleanings.

Dental Health is very important to your pet's overall health, and we encourage you to make yourself more aware of these health risks by asking questions, and being proactive. If you would like to learn more about dental health or dental disease, during the month of February, you may schedule a free dental evaluation of your pet done by one of our experienced technicians. They will be able to assess and score your pet’s current dental condition, make recommendations on at home prevention, show you how to use the at home dental care products and advise as to when a dental cleaning maybe needed. You will also receive 20% all dental health care products throughout February.

Please join us on Face Book to receive helpful tips on dental health throughout February and other helpful tips throughout the year.

The Team at Companion Care Veterinary Hospital