Page 11 - Stuart Exposure - October '22

Stuart Exposure, Page 11
loCAl

tip of tHE tAil

govErnmEnt

Periodontal Disease care of the tooth is never perfect and periodically tartar must
be properly removed and the tooth surface properly polished
Eighty-five percent and disinfected. The professional cleaning performed at the Martin County Property
of pets have periodontal veterinarian’s office is similar to what a person receives at
disease by 3 years of age. their dentist’s office. Large tartar is removed with specific Appraiser
It is the leading health instruments, then the periodontal sockets are probed and
problem found in our pets measured to assess periodontal disease. The roots are planed, Why Are My Taxes Higher Than My
and can pose serious short- and long- term health concerns, meaning tartar is scraped from below the gumline until the Neighbor’s? We Have The Exact Same House
beyond just bad breath, oral pain, and a generalized decreased roots are smooth again. Then the enamel is polished to remove
quality of life. any unevenness left by tartar removal. Finally, the mouth is By Jenny Fields
In a normal mouth, the teeth are clean, pearly white and disinfected and possibly treated with a fluoride sealer or plaque The “Save Our Homes”
the gums attach smoothly to the tooth. There is no redness repellent. After the cleaning, professional notes are taken on a (SOH) amendment prevents
or tartar and your breath smells great! The tooth is bathed in dental chart, noting abnormalities on each of a dog’s 42 teeth homestead property owners
saliva, bacteria, and food particles but if this is brushed away, or a cat’s 30 teeth. from being taxed out of
it never mineralizes into tartar. However, if we do not regularly Once the oral health exam has been performed, at-home their homes during a period
disinfect our mouths and brush away the plaque, the plaque care becomes important to maintain a healthy mouth. Daily when home sale prices
will mineralize into tartar. Tartar is solid and gritty and covers brushing is recommended, but studies have shown that even are rapidly increasing.
the crown of the tooth. This creates inflammation and blocks twice weekly brushing is enough to significantly reduce the This is accomplished by
oxygen from bathing the outer tooth, which changes the nature amount of plaque buildup in your pet’s mouth. In addition limiting the amount your
of the bacteria in the mouth. This new bacteria eats away at the to brushing, there are dental wipes, rinses, and pads, as well assessed value can increase.
attachment of the tooth and surrounding bone. The result is as preventative gels, dental treats and diets that aid in oral Accumulation of “non-
periodontal disease. Even worse, this new type of bacteria can health. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (the VOHC) is an taxed” assessed values can cause this
seed to other areas of the body leading to infection in the heart, organization that evaluates dental products and their website disparity. Your neighbor has enjoyed
liver, kidney or virtually anywhere the bloodstream carries it. is a good resource to help guide you on available options. the benefit of an increasing “capped”
The body is constantly fighting spread of the infection. Too often our pet’s dental health is overlooked and attributed differential over time, whereas, you
Fortunately, there is a lot we can do to prevent periodontal to a normal amount of “stinky pet” breath and nothing more. just purchased your home. Once you
disease and the rules are ones we are all familiar with, whether Unfortunately this can not only affect their oral health, but it file for your homestead exemption,
referring to us or our pets: professional cleaning and at-home can also have serious systemic health consequences. If you have your assessed value will be subject to
care. You can generally expect once your pets reach 3 to 4 years any questions or concerns or want to discuss this further, your this same cap.
old, they will need a professional teeth cleaning every 12 months. veterinarian can answer your questions and help assist you in
General anesthesia will be necessary for each tooth to receive keeping your pet healthy for many years to come.
proper attention and care. Additionally, home care is ideally a Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
daily part of tooth maintenance but even brushing just twice a dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
week can remove most plaque before it can mineralize into tartar. focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
Clearly not every pet is amenable to hands-on oral care though, rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics,
nor is every person’s schedule amenable to it, so for those cases, and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center
there are some lower maintenance options as well. combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy
It should not be surprising that dental health requires for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772)
regular professional cleanings regardless of whether the 283-0920, visit www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find
mouth in question belongs to a person, a dog, or a cat. Home us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

AUTUMN TENT SALE

October 22, 2022 • 10 AM - 4 PM

Stop by! Meet the owner and our nine working artists!
Stop by! Meet the owner and our nine working artists!

• Lois Fink • *Debra Bottorff

BRIDGE ROAD • Judi LeBlanc • Raymond Reiland
• *Clarke Van Sice
• Carol Kepp
FINE ARTS

• Cynthia Cooper • Keith Christiansen
8887 S.E. Bridge Road

Hobe Sound, FL 33455 Ed Douglas, Proprietor
(in the Winn Dixie Plaza)

PHONE: 772.618.2333 *Welcome our new artists.

Your Business is Personal to Us!
Your Business is Personal to Us!

Oil • Acrylic • Water Color • Mixed Media • Wood Sculpting • Pen & Ink Rendering

Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 11 – 5 • Closed Sunday and Monday