Tartar and Plaque

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Minerals in the saliva combine with the plaque and form tartar (calculus), which adheres strongly to the teeth. The tartar is irritating to the gums and causes them to become red and inflamed (gingivitis). At this point, bad breath is a good indicator that your pet needs attention.

 

 

Periodontal Disease

 

Tartar begins to build up below the gum line and forms 'pockets' or gaps between the gums and the teeth which allows bacteria to travel up the tooth root. Many people believe that if their pets are fed hard kibble that this will alleviate the need for a dental care program. Although dry food helps to mechanically prevent plaque and tartar, all foods are not created equal. Some diets, despite being hard in consistency, actually increase plaque buildup by being high in colorants and sugars. Just as in humans, your pet's teeth need to be brushed regularly and cleaned by a professional when necessary to remove the tartar build-up above the gum line so it doesn't affect tooth roots, causing recession infection and dental loss. It is well known that bacteria in the gum-line can travel via the blood stream to the kidneys, liver and heart, affecting these organs permanently over time. 

 

 

On-site Dentistry

 

We are pleased to offer a full range of dentistry, dental x-ray, and dental surgery at the clinic. All extractions are performed by our doctors and anesthesia is monitored by 2 people. 

 

During the physical exam, we will assess your pet's dental health and their needs. A detailed estimate will be generated at that time for any dental procedures that may be needed. We try to utilize diets as much as possible to prevent plaque and tartar build-up. 

 

We understand that any general anesthetic brings concern to many of our clients. We are pleased to report that we use the newest and safest of anesthetic agents. We pride ourselves on our anesthetic technique. Our rule is to never have an anesthetic emergency. For peace of mind, all our patients receive pre-anesthetic blood screening, IV fluids during each procedure and our monitored with an array of blood pressure, oxygen and ECG monitors. Our 'bear hugger' allows evens the tiniest patients to stay at their ideal body temperatures during our procedures by literally wrapping them in warm air. 

 

Dr. Dudzic has been performing all the extractions and dentistry at the clinic since 2006.