Why Dental Hygiene Is Important for Pets
Just like humans, pets also need proper dental care. It is a primary aspect of their overall wellbeing. Sadly, pet dental health is usually neglected or overlooked which has led to 70% of cats acquiring periodontal ailments by the time they are 3 years old. Dr. Lori Coughlin of The Cat Practice in Oak Park, IL understands the need to provide proper dental care for your cat, and proudly serves residents of Oak Park and the surrounding communities.
What Is Dental Hygiene for Pets?
When you visit our clinic for your pet’s dental cleaning, we will first put your cat under anesthesia for safety purposes, unless communicated otherwise due to a medical issue. Dr. Lori Coughlin will then employ the right tools to get rid of any tartar and plaque on your pet’s teeth. If there are any tears in the teeth’s enamel, a special polishing paste will be used for treatment.
We will also ensure that your pet is free of any broken or infected teeth. The next stage in the process is teeth strengthening and desensitization, where our team uses a special fluoride paste. Your cat’s gum line must also be examined to determine if there are any problems not visible on the surface.
Benefits of Dental Hygiene for Pets
Proper dental hygiene will keep your cat free of potential dental health issues such as bleeding gums, broken teeth, loose teeth, mouth ulcers, and more. Periodontal disease is caused by the buildup of bacteria in your cat’s teeth. The bacteria form plaque will eventually develop into tartar, and if left untreated, can cause gingivitis in your pet. This leads to infection in the roots and loosening of the teeth.
If gingivitis remains untreated, the disease continues damaging the bone structure eventually getting into the bloodstream and causing irreparable damage to the kidney, liver, and heart. Proper dental care also protects pets from broken teeth. If your cat is exposed to hard toys with weak teeth, he or she can end up breaking teeth causing infections and a lot of pain.
Contact the Cat Practice for Proper Pet Dental Care
If your cat needs dental care in the Oak Park area, The Cat Practice can help. Contact our qualified staff for a thorough cleanup and routine checkup of your pet’s teeth and gums as a way of ensuring they live happy and healthy lives. Call us today at (708) 383-5997 to find out how we can help you and your cat.