A vet is examining the cat's teeth

Dental Care

Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health Oral care and prophylactic dental cleaning is an integral part of maintaining a healthy pet. Dental disease is the most common disease that affects pets and is often not addressed early enough. Dental disease can affect other organ systems including the kidneys and heart. A thorough physical exam is key to diagnosing dental disease. Prophylactic care and cleaning can save your pet from potentially painful dental disease.

Your pet’s teeth should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

We offer 20% off your pet’s dental cleaning during the months of February and September.

Signs You Need to Schedule Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning

Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:

  • Bad breath
  • Broken or loose teeth
  • Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
  • Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
  • Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
  • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
  • Pain in or around the mouth
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems, and any changes in your pet’s behavior should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. Always be careful when evaluating your pet’s mouth, because a painful animal may bite. 

one dog and one cat yawning with bad breath

Dental Facts:

  • Not addressing your pet’s dental health could lead to more severe secondary diseases like heart or kidney disease.
  • By not brushing your pet’s teeth, formations of bacteria, food particles, and saliva combine and collect between the gums and teeth, which progresses into tartar buildup. Over time this can develop into periodontal disease, which erodes at the gums and can result in bad breath, bleeding gums, and pain.
  • Brush your pet’s teeth regularly.
  • The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends that you brush your pet’s teeth daily. But in most cases, this is not always feasible, especially if your pet will not cooperate. However, it’s not a reason to disregard the brushing process altogether.
  • To help freshen breath between brushings, consider using Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved products.
  • Visit https://vohc.org/ to learn more

Schedule Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning

At Destin Animal Clinic, our staff is proud to be part of the dental disease preventive process. Dental exams are included in your pet’s annual wellness exam. This way we ensure your pet lives a long and full life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!