Hope for bad breath

February is most well known for Valentine's Day, but our pet population has a whole month to celebrate a crucial part of health management, their teeth!  February is Pet Dental Health Month, and Midlands Veterinary Practice wants your pet's mouth to be in the best condition possible.  Dental health is important for several reasons for our pets.  First and foremost, plaque and tartar are simply bacteria factories, and these bacteria can have adverse effects in the mouth, such as bad breath and tooth or gum decay.  These bacteria can also spread to other body parts, such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidney to cause severe infections.  Secondly, damaged gums or teeth are a significant source of pain for our pets, and we want to do everything possible to minimize pain.  Thirdly, their is the issue of cosmetics, and a pet with a full set of teeth is a goal for all pet owners.  In order to properly clean your pet's teeth, they will need to go through an anesthetic period.  During their anesthesia, each tooth can be individually assessed, cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler, and polished.  Recovery times are quite rapid.  The vast majority of pets can be left with us early in the morning and be home by early afternoon.  If you would like to have your pet's oral health assessed, please call our office to schedule an appointment.