5 Bel Air South Parkway, Suite 1433 Bel Air, MD 21015
Dental Examinations
At Festival Veterinary Clinic, we want to help you prevent dental disease by providing dental examinations. Dental disease can cause significant discomfort and can eventually lead to tooth decay or tooth loss and is the most frequently diagnosed health condition in pets.
If you notice any of these signs, it is time for an exam:
- Buildup/tartar on the teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty chewing
- Pawing at the face or mouth
- Loose teeth
- Favoring one side of the mouth
Dental examinations are part of every exam that we give at our facility. Even if your pet does not show any of these symptoms, it is important to get the exam every year. If left unchecked, decay of the soft tissue and bones can lead to irreversible periodontal disease.
Dental Cleanings
After conducting the dental examination, our veterinarians might recommend a professional dental cleaning to get rid of any dental disease, tartar buildup, or infection. Most dental disease is found below the gumline, so it cannot be cured with a regular brushing. These dental cleanings are performed under general anesthesia for the safety of both the pet and the staff conducting the procedure.
Digital Dental Radiology
Dental radiography is taking x-ray pictures of the mouth, jaw, and teeth. X-rays can help identify or rule out any problems that a pet may have. Festival Veterinary Clinic offers not only traditional x-rays, but also digital x-rays, which are faster and transmit less radiation than the traditional ones. Dental radiography is one piece of care for pets dealing with dental disease or other dental issues. Without x-rays, it is said that veterinarians miss around 80% of what is happening in an animal’s mouth.
It is very important that the animal stays perfectly still during the x-ray procedure so we can get an accurate image. Restless animals may need to be put under a short-acting general anesthesia if we are unable to complete the procedure.
At-Home Dental Care
Routine dental cleanings and examinations are just part of the picture. What happens at home is just as, if not more, important. Our veterinarians are more than happy to instruct you on proper dental hygiene at home, as well as recommend a variety of products that are designed specifically for canine or feline use. Make sure to never use human products on your pets, as their needs are different from ours.
We highly recommend starting proper dental hygiene as soon as you adopt your pet. Early introduction to this process will help them feel comfortable long term as you continue. If your pet does not seem to want to cooperate to teeth brushing, we can recommend a variety of other products like toys and treats that help clean teeth and break down buildup to prevent disease.