Taking full-mouth dental X-rays of your pet’s mouth is the best way to determine the extent of periodontal disease. This process gives us a complete picture of your pet’s dental health. Here are three reasons why dental X-rays are so important for your furry friend’s oral health.
#1: Painful periodontal problems may only be discovered on X-rays
Although you might think your pet would stop eating if they suffered from a dental issue, pets are incredible at hiding signs of pain and illness. Tooth-root abscesses, tooth fractures, retained teeth, and bone loss may cause your pet to have a decreased appetite, but not always. Dental X-rays are often the only way to tell if your furry pal has one of these oral health problems.
#2: Dental X-rays allow us to gauge the severity of your pet’s dental disease
Dental X-rays give us the full picture of your pet’s oral health and provide more information than a visual exam. X-rays are an important diagnostic tool to unearth hidden dental diseases that can be the precursor to such problems as heart disease, kidney disease, and jawbone loss.
#3: More than half the tooth structure lies below the gumline
While brushing your pet’s teeth is great for minimizing plaque and tartar accumulation, a toothbrush can’t reach below the gum line, which is where roughly 60% of the tooth structure lies. That means dental X-rays are essential for discovering potential dental problems that lie below the gum line.
Are you wondering what your pet’s oral health is like? Give us a call to schedule an oral health assessment and dental X-rays for your pet.
