Dental Care

One of the best ways to preserve your pet’s overall health and add years to their life is to provide consistent dental hygiene. Smithers Animal Hospital provides dental exams, ultrasonic cleaning and polishing, and extractions when necessary. We encourage maintaining healthy teeth and gums to keep your pet from developing dental disease that can progress and lead to serious complications if left untreated.

As with people, oral disease in pets begins with bacteria in the mouth that harden and form plaque that adhere to teeth. If not removed through regular care and cleaning, these bacteria will accumulate, harden into tartar, and can lead to the development of gingivitis and periodontitis. The resulting inflammation of gingiva and periodontal tissues gives these bacteria access to the body and they can seriously affect the kidneys, heart, liver, brain and lungs.

To prevent the formation of dental disorders and all the complications that come with it, we recommend beginning regular dental cleanings and exams when your pets are young. During our examination, we look for fractured teeth, worn areas of enamel, retained baby teeth, plaque, tartar, inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), abnormal growths or masses, tooth discoloration, infected teeth, and more. We will then determine if further treatment is necessary.

We recommend regular dental checkups and cleanings at least every 1 to 2 years in most cases. Some pets, however, require more frequent cleanings. Brushing your pet’s teeth in between cleanings and supplying them with oral hygiene chews are additional preventive measures.

If you notice your pet exhibiting any of the following conditions, don’t hesitate to give us a call:

• • Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
• • Bad breath
• • Bleeding from the mouth
• • Broken or loose teeth
• • Gum recession and/or gum swelling
• • Pain in or around the mouth
• • Pawing at the face or mouth
• • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• • Swelling of the face
• • Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• • Weight loss

Smithers Animal Hospital provides dental health care services to pet owners in West Fork, Fayetteville, Winslow, and Prairie Grove.