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Why are dental x-rays important for pets?
- Dental disease often begins below the gum line, instead of in the part of the tooth that you can see. Disease below the gum line can only be found with an x-ray.
- Many pets are good at hiding pain from their humans, making it even harder to find dental disease without x-rays.
- A pet’s teeth change over time. X-rays taken on a younger, healthier pet can serve as a crucial baseline later in life when dental disease is more common.
- An exam is always performed first to determine if the patient is healthy enough for anesthesia. Preanesthetic bloodwork is also a recommended safety precaution.
- Because pets cannot hold still enough when awake, pet dental x-rays must be taken under anesthesia.
- As with human dental x-rays, a small probe is placed in the pet’s mouth to capture the x-rays. Dental x-rays only require a small amount of radiation.
- We recommend that every cat and dog receive a complete oral exam every year. If signs of disease are found, dental x-rays and additional dental treatment may be recommended.
- Dental x-rays may also be recommended if during an exam the doctor finds teeth that are damaged or missing, or observes that the gums are red and swollen.
- Because the risk of anesthesia is greater for rabbits and rodents, routine annual x-rays are not recommended. There are, however, many small mammal health issues that may have a dental component. The doctor may suggest performing dental x-ray on a rabbit/rodent if dental complications are suspected.
WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING UNDER THE GUM LINE?
The dog shown in these photos does not appear to have periodontal disease—there were no signs of a problem during the oral exam. After dental x-rays were performed, the veterinarian discovered that all three of the teeth labeled in the photos needed to be extracted. The areas circled in yellow in the bottom photo should be solid white—representing bone—but more than half of the bone holding these teeth in place had dissolved due to infection.
Photo credit: Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center
The dog shown in these photos does not appear to have periodontal disease—there were no signs of a problem during the oral exam. After dental x-rays were performed, the veterinarian discovered that all three of the teeth labeled in the photos needed to be extracted. The areas circled in yellow in the bottom photo should be solid white—representing bone—but more than half of the bone holding these teeth in place had dissolved due to infection.
Photo credit: Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center
Maintaining a healthy mouth is an important part of overall wellness for your pet. Dental disease has been linked to heart disease, kidney disease, and likely other systemic infections. A clean mouth is not only healthier and better smelling, but painful gums and teeth can make it difficult for your pet to eat comfortably. Our goal is early detection and treatment of dental problems.
The following list may help you determine whether your companion needs an oral examination:
Treatment:
Most treatments require general anesthesia. We us the safest possible anesthetics that are tailored for each individual patient. We monitor anesthesia very closely. We are equipped with a high speed dental unit to aid in treatment of dental disease. We will provide you with detailed post-dental instructions and discuss strategies for preventing future problems.
Home Care:
At home dental care is the foundation for a healthy mouth. We would be happy to demonstrate the proper way to brush your companion's teeth with a soft bristled tooth brush and pet toothpaste. Appropriate chew toys and treats are also and important part of maintaining good dental health.
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The following list may help you determine whether your companion needs an oral examination:
- Bad breath
- Excess salivation
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Facial swelling
- Discharge from eyes or nose
- Broken or missing teeth
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
Treatment:
Most treatments require general anesthesia. We us the safest possible anesthetics that are tailored for each individual patient. We monitor anesthesia very closely. We are equipped with a high speed dental unit to aid in treatment of dental disease. We will provide you with detailed post-dental instructions and discuss strategies for preventing future problems.
Home Care:
At home dental care is the foundation for a healthy mouth. We would be happy to demonstrate the proper way to brush your companion's teeth with a soft bristled tooth brush and pet toothpaste. Appropriate chew toys and treats are also and important part of maintaining good dental health.
Click Here to get back to Our Services
