Dental Disease

Pet Dental Disease Care and Prevention in San Diego at Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital 


You probably brush your teeth at least twice per day, but have you ever thought about brushing your pet's teeth? At Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital, our San Diego veterinarian team proudly provides pet dental care services for cats and dogs. We also educate pet parents about how to look after their animals' oral health at home.

The Importance of Pet Dental Care

Did you realize that pets with poor dental health often don't live as long? This is because poor oral health can cause bacteria to get into the bloodstream and infect the heart and other organs. Pet dental disease can also make it painful to eat, which could lead to other health issues related to malnutrition. 

Don't forget that maintaining good pet dental care for your pet can save you thousands of dollars over the course of your pet's lifetime and cause you and your animal way less stress!

For these reasons and more, proper pet dental care is an incredibly important part of your animals’ wellness plan. 

Common Pet Dental Conditions Diagnosed and Treated by Our San Diego Veterinarians

So, what is pet dental disease, exactly? The following conditions and issues are commonly seen by our San Diego veterinarians:

    • Periodontal disease, also known as gum inflammation and damage
    • Plaque, or sticky residue coating the teeth
    • Tartar, which is hardened plaque and much more difficult to remove
    • Fractured, infected (abscess), missing, loose, and/or extra teeth
    • Oral lumps, bumps, and sores
    • Jaw malocclusions

Signs of Pet Dental Disease

Signs of pet dental disease include bad breath, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, bleeding gums and teeth, missing or broken teeth, and problems eating (e.g., dropping food, eating on one side of the mouth, or vocalizations while eating). 

However, it's not always easy to tell if your animal has dental problems. The best way to treat and prevent these problems is to get help from a vet.

How a San Diego Veterinarian Can Help Manage Pet Dental Care

At our animal hospital, we recommend yearly pet dental exams, which are done with your pet under general anesthesia. This keeps your pet safe and comfortable while we do a thorough job.

Pet dental exams allow us to screen for and detect dental health problems earlier. We also clean your pet's teeth and gums and provide necessary interventions. 

In between visits, there are plenty of things you can do to maximize your animal's oral health:

    • Brush your animal's teeth with pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes daily
    • Give your pet nutritious food
    • Give your pet chew-safe toys to play with
    • If you see any signs of pet dental disease, call our vet staff to schedule an appointment

How's Your Pets’ Oral Health?

Contact Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital at (858) 292-6116 if you live near San Diego, CA, and are looking for high quality pet dental care for your beloved animal companion. 

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Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital

Monday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Thursday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital

Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
Closed