Dental Care for Your Pet

Proper dental care is not just important for your pet’s teeth and gums, it is also crucial for their overall health. Over time, plaque and tartar can build up, leading to bad breath, reddened gums, and bacteria in the mouth. This can result in drooling, discomfort while chewing, and loose or missing teeth.

Poor dental health can lead to many other problems, some of which can be fatal. Bacteria have the ability to infect the gum tissue and roots of the teeth, resulting in heart and kidney disease, two serious conditions associated with poor dental health. However, all of these problems can be avoided with regular visits to your veterinarian and proper dental care!

When you bring your pet to 4th Street Pet Hospital for his or her annual exam, or if your pet is experiencing any of the clinical signs listed above, our veterinarians will examine the teeth and gums to determine if your pet’s teeth require special treatment. This may involve cleaning at home, a change in diet, an anesthesia-free dental cleaning, or a detailed cleaning where anesthesia is required.

Our veterinarians and staff want your pet to live a happy and long life, and proper dental care directly affects that. Call us at 727-289-7190 today to find out how we can improve the health of your pet with a specially designed dental care plan!

Anesthesia-Free Dental Care

If it is recommended and your pet is approved for anesthesia-free dental care, the veterinarians and staff at 4th Street Pet Hospital are equipped to perform this procedure. During the procedure, your pet is awake, much like your regular dental exams, but the pet will rest on its side. The technicians involved clean the surfaces of the tooth, which includes the interior and subgingival curettage.

Our technicians have years of experience and work directly with our veterinarians to discover tooth abnormalities, detect early signs of periodontal disease, and polish the teeth. We take special care to ensure your pet is as stress-free as possible! This procedure is not for every pet, but we strive to provide this to pets that would benefit from it.