Join us for Dental Health Month

Why the stinky breath?

Who here loves puppy breath? Yes, there are a few who do not like it but let’s be honest, it is so much better than stinky breath right? Not many of us smell our cats breath but I assure you it does not smell great either - take it from someone whose cat tries to lick her like a dog!

So why does a pets breath smell bad?

Dogs and cats develop tartar just like we do and these guys have hundreds of types of bacteria in their mouths, over 600 types actually while we have about 70 different types. This bacteria loves to live in the tartar which will build-up and turn into plaque, this is usually the colored substance that can be seen to the naked eye. All of this bacterial build up is one reason your furry friend might have bad breath. *There are other causes for bad breath as well…we will cover that in a minute.

How old will my pet be when they start getting tartar?

This depends on the dog or cat, just like some people get tons of cavities and others get none. All mouths and teeth are different so there is no telling when the plaque or tartar might show up, but it should be taken care of as soon as possible. Plaque forms within a few hours of eating and tartar starts to form within 24 hours. Once adult teeth come in it is important to stay ahead of the tartar.

Can I brush my pets teeth?

YES!! It is great if you can brush them daily actually, with a veterinary approved toothpaste. Human toothpaste has Xylitol in the fluoride portion of the toothpaste and should NEVER be used in our pets. Xylitol is toxic to our pets and if they consume any they should be brought to the vet immediately. Brushing daily though would be the ideal way to prevent oral diseases and promote great dental health. If you do not have time to spare for daily brushing, there are dental products that have been created to make our lives easier while they work on keeping our pets’ mouths happy and healthy. Ask us about dental chews - we have some that we recommend and give to our own dogs.

How can I get rid of bad breath?

Well the most direct way is to have a dental cleaning performed. Dental cleanings consist of a full oral exam, dental x-rays, ultrasonic scaling, hand scaling and polishing. Very similar to our own dental cleanings. There are occasions when once the exam and x-rays are complete that the bad breath is coming from more than tartar; there can be an infection or abscess, advanced gingivitis or other abnormalities that we would be able to see only because your pet is under anesthesia. This would call for more than a routine cleaning and we would be sure that in the end your pet is comfortable and healthy.

Is a dental procedure dangerous for my dog or cat?

No, the dental cleaning itself is not dangerous. Yes, we do use general anesthesia so we can clean the teeth; no dog or cat would stay still long enough to do that if they were awake! We do take all precautions prior to anesthesia, during anesthesia and even after. We get current lab work so we know the body is healthy, we monitor everything from heart rate to temperature while they are getting the procedure done and after we make sure they are pain free and wake up warm and comfortable.

How much do the teeth cleanings cost?

This is always a complicated question, we would love to be able to give a number that is the same for every patient but that is just not possible. The cost depends on the level of tartar and dental disease which determines how long the cleaning will take.

To get an accurate estimate we invite you to set up a time where we can get you in for a free consultation to assess the oral health of your furry friend and we can get you an accurate estimate for the procedure. Also if the dental cleaning is booked by March 18th 2022 we will give you $50 off the procedure!

Please call us if you are interested in scheduling an appointment to see our doctor, no matter if this is a first visit because we have never seen you, free oral assessment consultation or for the dental procedure. We are happy to help and answer any questions you may have.

Avalon Family Vet 3520 Avalon Park E Blvd #3 Orlando, FL 32828 407-275-3430

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