Veterinary Dentistry for Your Pet
We take the proper dental care of your pet very seriously.
Dental hygiene is an important part of your pet’s preventative health plan and if neglected can often be the cause of serious illness. Untreated dental problems can lead to larger systemic issues in your pet due to oral bacteria entering the blood stream and damaging the kidneys, heart and liver. In fact, it is estimated that more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats develop tooth and gum disease by the age of three years.
Dental disease and its serious consequences can be avoided by bringing your pet to your veterinarian for regular dental check-ups and teeth cleanings. At Cascade Animal Medical Center, we practice what we call the Complete Oral Assessment & Treatment (COAT) program. The basis of COAT is preventative care through sub-gingival teeth cleanings, ultrasonic teeth scaling, as well as polishing and applying a sealer to the teeth.
Our preventative dental care also includes the ability to perform digital dental X-rays in order to better diagnose tooth decay and bone loss beneath the gum line. What this means for you and your pet is that we are able to identify and diagnose these signs of periodontal disease quickly and easily without more invasive and expensive testing.
Should we discover a problem with your pet’s teeth or gums, Cascade Animal Medical Center is able to offer a range of dental services such as extractions, root canals, pulp caps, and more.
Home Dental Care
Dental care does not end with a visit to your veterinarian. You need to continue your veterinarian's good work at home. Brushing your pet's teeth is an important part of home dental care. We also have several products to help you with your home dental care.
It is also important for you to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of dental problems, which include:
- Bad breath – one of the first signs of dental disease
- A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line
- Red and swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when the mouth or gums are touched
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
- Loose or missing teeth
We are also here to help. Any member of Cascade Animal Medical Center’s team can show you the proper method of brushing your pet’s teeth as well as how to properly use any of our dental products.