Healthy Mouths, Happier Pets
Bad breath is not just “dog breath.” It is usually the first sign of dental disease, the most common health problem we find in adult dogs and cats. Because pets hide mouth pain so well, many owners are surprised by how much brighter and more playful their pet is after a dental cleaning.
At Vineland Animal Hospital in southwest Orlando, Dr. Millhoff performs dental cleanings under general anesthesia with a technician monitoring your pet the entire time, so every tooth can be cleaned above and below the gumline safely and thoroughly.
Send us your request and our team will call you to confirm a day and time. If your pet is sick today, please call (407) 233-3386.
Imagine what your mouth would feel like if you never brushed your teeth or went to the dentist. For many dogs and cats, this is a painful reality. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the age of 3. Dental (or periodontal) disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets.
Even if your dog or cat doesn’t have these symptoms, we recommend that you have a veterinarian evaluate your pet’s dental health at least once a year. Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay can result in irreversible periodontal disease, tooth loss, and possibly expensive oral surgery.
Dental disease can also affect other organs in the body: Bacteria in the mouth can get into the bloodstream and cause serious infections in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. If these problems aren’t caught and treated quickly enough, they can result in death. A physical exam combined with appropriate laboratory work can determine if infection in the mouth has spread.
Schedule your pet’s dental exam today! We can also help show you how to brush your pet’s teeth and recommend foods and treats that will help combat plaque and tartar buildup.
Dr. Millhoff examines your pet and runs pre-anesthetic bloodwork to make sure anesthesia is safe.
and a technician monitoring heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and other vital signs the whole time.
Every tooth is checked and probed for pockets, fractures and loose teeth.
where disease does the most damage.
to smooth the enamel so plaque has a harder time sticking.
of teeth that are too damaged to save, with pain control. We call you first if we find something unexpected.
with written home-care instructions.
Cleaning under the gumline is uncomfortable, and no dog or cat will hold still for it. Non-anesthetic “teeth scaling” only removes the visible tartar from the crown, leaving the disease under the gums untouched, and it can hurt or frighten your pet. Modern anesthesia with careful monitoring is very safe for most pets, including seniors, and it is the only way to truly clean and examine the mouth.
with a pet toothpaste is the gold standard. Daily is best; a few times a week still helps. We are happy to show you how.
carrying the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal are proven to reduce plaque or tartar.
like antlers, bones and hard nylon toys, which commonly break teeth.
at your pet's wellness exam.
It depends on the pet. Small breeds, flat-faced breeds and some cats may need a cleaning every year, while others go longer. Dr. Millhoff checks your pet’s teeth at every wellness exam at Vineland Animal Hospital and will tell you when a cleaning is due.
Age is not a disease. With pre-anesthetic bloodwork, an anesthetic plan tailored to your pet and constant monitoring, most senior pets do very well, and they often benefit the most from a healthy mouth.
Every mouth is different, so we give you an estimate after an exam. It covers anesthesia, monitoring, cleaning and any likely extractions, and we call you before doing anything that was not on it. Call (407) 233-3386 to schedule a dental exam.
Yes. Along with gum disease, many cats develop painful tooth resorption, where the tooth breaks down from the inside. Cats rarely stop eating from mouth pain, so a yearly exam matters.
Most pets with dental disease keep eating. They chew on one side, swallow food whole or just live with the pain. Eating normally does not mean the mouth is healthy.
Above and below the gumline, under anesthesia.
A technician watches your pet from start to finish.
No surprises; we call you before any change.
Brushing lessons and product advice that fit your routine.
Vineland Animal Hospital, 11402 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32836, United States. Serving Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Apopka and Kissimmee.
