While there are a lot of similarities between dental procedures in dogs and cats and what you’d undergo in a routine dental check-up, there are also some important differences that need to be considered to ensure the best results for your pet after any dental work.
“Open wide!”
It’s not uncommon that we get questioned on the necessity of a general anaesthetic for a pet dental procedure. Owners may be concerned about the associated cost or simply concerned about their pet “going under”.
Even if your pet is extremely cooperative, we’re yet to find a dog or cat that will stay completely still for a thorough scale and polish (cleaning above and below the gumline with an ultrasonic scaler and polishing tool), not to mention holding completely still and not biting down on delicate in-mouth x-ray plates during dental x-rays.
Additionally, the noises and sensations of any dental work would be very stressful for the average pet, and we’re all about minimising your pet’s anxiety.
“Tell me where it hurts”
Unfortunately, whilst we’d love to be able to ask your pet where it hurts, we don’t have Doctor Dolittle on staff! This is why we would ideally like to perform oral x-rays in every pet with dental issues, so that we don’t miss any tooth root or jawbone problems that just aren’t visible on the surface.
“Rest and recover”
Whilst humans usually take care of themselves for several days after a tooth extraction with icepacks and careful mouth handling, this isn’t something we can reasonably expect from our pets! For this reason, it’s important that you closely follow any post-operative instructions we give after your pet’s dental procedure, such as leaving protective “bucket collars” on, feeding soft foods only, and administering medications as prescribed.
If you’re ever concerned about your pet’s recovery after a dental procedure, please don’t hesitate to contact our team for advice. We want the best outcome for your pet too!
For more information on how to care for your pet’s dental health and comfort, consult our dental-diligent team.