Pet Dental Care

Pet Dental Care and X-Rays

Does your best friend have bad breath? Despite what many pet owners may believe, “dog breath” is not just a nuisance – it’s a sign of an unhealthy mouth. Bad breath is caused by bacteria. Over time, bacteria lead to plaque and tartar buildup on your pet’s teeth. The result is bad breath, reddened gums, and other common signs of dental disease. As dental disease progresses, other signs can include drooling, discomfort while chewing, and loose or missing teeth. Even if you’re using treats and chews to help control tartar, these are frequently not enough to keep dental disease in check. Ask us about the best ways to control plaque and help protect your pet from dental disease.

Dental hygiene is an important part of your pet’s health because dental disease can be associated with other serious health problems such as heart disease and kidney disease. But how do you know if your pet has a healthy mouth? Let us examine your pet’s teeth and gums to help determine if there are any dental issues you should know about. After a brief visual examination, we may recommend a more detailed examination (which requires sedation), a dental cleaning, or options for at-home dental care.

Even if you think your pet’s teeth and gums are fine, we can offer expert advice to help you keep them that way! Dental health shouldn’t be taken for granted. Fortunately, many dental problems can be managed through at-home care and by bringing your pet to us for regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings.

We want your pet to live a long, healthy life, and we understand that maintaining a healthy mouth is part of that. Your pet’s health is important to us, so let us help you with this commitment. Call today to discuss your pet’s dental care needs and how we can help!

At Hood Veterinary Hospital, we’re committed to providing advanced dental care for your pets. That’s why we’re proud to offer digital dental X-rays as part of our comprehensive veterinary dentistry services.

While your pet’s teeth may appear healthy above the gumline, nearly two-thirds of each tooth is hidden beneath the surface. Many painful dental conditions—including tooth root abscesses, fractures, bone loss, and advanced periodontal disease—can’t be detected during a visual examination alone.

Digital dental X-rays allow our veterinary team to evaluate the entire tooth and surrounding bone, helping us identify hidden problems early and provide the most appropriate treatment for your pet.

Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays

• Detect hidden dental disease before it becomes more serious
• Identify damaged or fractured teeth
• Evaluate tooth roots and jawbone health
• Guide safe and effective tooth extractions when needed
• Improve treatment planning and long-term oral health