At Bergheim Pet Hospital & Clinic, we provide state-of-the-art dentistry and oral surgery for your pets. We pride ourselves on educating pet owners about dental care and disease prevention, and work closely with you and your pets for the best outcome.
Statistics show that 80% of pets over the age of three are affected with dental problems. Dental disease can be treated, but if dental disease goes undetected or untreated, the bacteria that build up can be absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to other organs where it causes infection and damage.
Tartar is formed by a build-up of bacteria on the tooth surface. Since dogs don’t brush their teeth every day, the bacteria multiply and form a sticky bacterial film called plaque. Dental plaque mineralizes and forms hard tartar or calculus that cannot be brushed away. Tartar infects the gums and they recede; the periodontal ligament weakens and bone support of the tooth is compromised leading to tooth loss. As the gums recede, unprotected areas of the tooth are exposed and infection sets in, causing PAIN. Although dental disease is not necessarily a heredity issue, some breeds are more susceptible than others.
