{"id":770,"date":"2020-02-20T15:34:59","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T15:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bowmanvet.com\/?p=770"},"modified":"2021-08-18T12:30:58","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T19:30:58","slug":"alls-fine-below-the-gum-line-benefits-of-dental-x-rays-for-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bowmanvet.com\/blog\/alls-fine-below-the-gum-line-benefits-of-dental-x-rays-for-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"All\u2019s Fine Below The Gum Line: Benefits of Dental X-Rays For Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Dental<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When your pet has periodontal disease, you may not even know it. This problem often sneaks up on pet owners and can be the result of persistent \u201cwe\u2019ll get to it\u201d syndrome. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact is that most pets have some form of dental disease by the time they reach 3 years of age, and bad breath may be the only noticeable hallmark. But by the time you notice \u201cdoggy breath,\u201d periodontal disease may be wreaking havoc in your pet\u2019s mouth. And most of the time, it\u2019s underneath the gum line, where neither you nor <\/span>your veterinarian<\/span><\/a> can see it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Bowman Veterinary Hospital<\/span><\/a> knows that dental x-rays for pets are an important addition to their healthcare plan. Keep reading for the ins and outs of this simple and very useful process. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brushing Up On Pet Oral Health<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Periodontal disease begins when bacteria in the mouth combine with saliva to form plaque. If left untouched, plaque will harden into tartar, migrate below the gum line, can cause gingivitis and eventually <\/span>periodontal disease<\/span><\/a>. In addition to <\/span>discomfort<\/span><\/a>, dental disease can cause tooth loss, fractured teeth, and in severe cases, internal organ damage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We cover a lot of ground at your pet\u2019s <\/span>annual or biannual wellness exam<\/span><\/a>. One thing we check is inside your pet\u2019s mouth. A quick flip of their lip can reveal a lot, but it\u2019s still only a snapshot of what lies beneath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like An Iceberg<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What we really need to know cannot be seen with the naked eye. Like an iceberg, the portion of the tooth that is visible is only a small fraction of the entire structure. Most of the tooth structures are under the gum surface. This means we rely on the accuracy and clarity of radiographs to give us the whole \u201cpicture\u201d, so to speak. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, we can\u2019t truly speak to complete oral health without dental x\u2013rays, since they are necessary to see any problems under the surface. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Benefits of Dental X\u2013Rays for Pets<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many facets of periodontal disease that can easily be captured with dental x\u2013rays. These may include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n