Pet Dental Emergencies Explained

Difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, a nasty fall, or being hit by a vehicle come to mind when pet owners think of a veterinary emergency. Dental emergencies in cats and dogs, on the other hand, are among the most overlooked causes of emergency. The teeth of our furry friends can break, become infected, and shatter their jaws. Knowing what defines an emergency and understanding what we can do and what support you can provide your pet are advantageous.

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency includes the mouth, head, or neck areas that require punctual treatment to halt blood loss, soothe severe discomfort, or save a tooth. This also applies to potentially deadly diseases.

These are samples of cases demanding pet urgent care from an emergency pet hospital (but are not confined to):

Severe or traumatic head trauma injuries include lip and tongue lacerations and oral hemorrhage.
Avulsions and luxations of the teeth (true dental emergencies; place the avulsed tooth in milk until referral to the vet dentist or oral surgeon).
Inflammation/infection causes swelling around the nose, mouth, jaws, face, and neck.
Acute palate deformities, jaw fractures, and temporomandibular joint luxations.
Severe difficulty opening or closing the mouth.

How to Avoid Common Dental Emergencies

Keep your dog on a softer chew toy to help avoid tooth fractures. Keep your kitty cat inside your home to keep them safe from biting and chewing hazards.
Always put them on a leash and monitor their interactions with other pets and animals.
Following any tooth or jaw injury, a visit to the vet might help you prevent most infections and save you money in the long run.
Having your pet’s teeth examined and cleaned regularly is another method to help avert a dental emergency.

When should you schedule professional cleaning?

A veterinary dental care professional should do a yearly checkup on your pet to document the presence of abnormal diseases such as periodontal disease, cracked or rotted teeth, tumors, ulcers, and so on. Professional dental cleanings necessitate anesthesia for your pet to ensure that the competent and qualified operator can remove dirt from underneath the gum line (subgingivally). Check out this “vet dentist near me” page if you need a competent dental specialist.

Is anesthesia necessary in dental cleaning?

Pet owners are not surprisingly apprehensive when their dogs require anesthesia. The dentist from reputable veterinary care and service must place the pet under general anesthesia to do a thorough periodontal examination, dental radiography, scaling and polishing, gingival curettage, and root planing.

An endotracheal tube supplies anesthetic gas and oxygen, providing pain-free therapies while securing the airways from aspirating fluids or debris. Anesthesia-free dentistry is not recommended for various reasons, including significant patient and operator safety issues.

What to Expect in an Emergency Room

A veterinarian will evaluate the extent of your pet’s concern to establish the order in which patients should go first. The most life-threatening issues are addressed first, followed by less severe cases. Before meeting the vet, a nurse may take your dog or cat’s history and check vital signs.

The ER’s primary priority is to stabilize your pet, so your pet may need to be admitted to the emergency pet clinic or transferred to your regular veterinarian. Your pet might be referred to a veterinary professional for a more thorough assessment or operation. Ask about any home care or rechecks if your pet can return home.