Pet Dental Care

Dog and cat teeth cleaning in Bayonne, Hoboken, and Jersey City.

Pet Dental Care in Hoboken, Bayonne, and Jersey City

We are committed to helping prevent dental disease in your pet by providing them with regular and thorough dental care services.

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Your Pet’s Dental Health is Our Priority

Although it would be nice if they could, pets can’t brush their own teeth, so it’s up to their owners and veterinarians to maintain their oral health for them. Your pet’s oral health is one of the most important aspects of their overall well-being. This is due to the mouth-body connection; gum disease, which can result from years without dental care, can eventually affect the internal organs if left untreated. Of course, no one wants this for their pet, and we don’t want it for our patients. That’s why we strongly recommend annual dental exams so we can determine if a dog or cat teeth cleaning is needed.

We believe in preventive care with all of our services because prevention is easier and more cost-effective than treatment. The dental care services at Tuder Veterinary Group are designed to both prevent and treat oral problems, including broken teeth and gum disease. Our dental suites are equipped with modern equipment and technology, allowing our veterinarians to perform high-quality dental care with patient safety and comfort at the forefront.

Signs of Gum Disease

Since gum disease is one of the most common diseases seen in pets, it’s important for you as a pet owner to be familiar with its symptoms. There are several stages of gum disease in pets, and the more advanced the stage, the more symptoms there are. The following are some of the most common ones:

  • Chronic bad breath
  • Swollen, red gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Trouble eating
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Excessive drooling
  • Brownish-yellow tartar buildup along the gumline

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, bring your pet into one of our convenient locations:

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Before Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning

During the dental evaluation, we will examine your pet’s teeth and gums to confirm that a teeth cleaning is necessary. Our veterinarians will show you what your pet needs and will walk you through what will happen before, during, and after the procedure. The veterinarian will also provide a comprehensive dental treatment plan and cost estimate and will discuss it with you line by line so you are thoroughly informed.

Once you agree to have your dog or cat’s teeth cleaned, we will perform pre-anesthetic blood tests to make sure that there are no issues with your pet’s kidneys and liver, and will also check their heart and abdomen as needed. Finally, we will schedule an appointment for your pet’s dental cleaning visit and will advise you of anything that you need to do to prepare for the visit.

During Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning

During your dog or cat’s teeth cleaning appointment, we will conduct a more thorough examination under general anesthesia and will clean and polish the teeth. We use hand and ultrasonic scalers to remove tartar and plaque, which are sources of periodontal disease. It is especially important to clean below the gumline since tartar growth in this location is the primary cause of advanced periodontal disease. Polishing the teeth after the cleaning removes microscopic scratches and slows down future plaque accumulation.

We will check every tooth above and below the gumline for periodontal disease and our veterinarian and technician will record any abnormality in your pet’s medical record. We will also use a periodontal probe to check for bleeding gums, accumulation of food in pockets, and for tooth decay. During the procedure, we may find additional issues such as cavities and advanced periodontal disease, and there is a possibility that some teeth may need to be extracted. If there is additional treatment required, we will contact you to discuss these findings prior to carrying out additional treatment. From there, a follow-up visit may be needed.

Before and After a Tuder Veterinary Group Dental Cleaning

Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning Procedure

At-Home Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning

Bringing your pet in once a year for a dental exam and scheduling teeth cleanings as needed are important parts of keeping your pet’s mouth healthy, but at-home care is just as essential. We recommend that you brush your pet’s teeth daily, or at least a few times a week. We’ll be glad to give you brushing tips and product recommendations (chews, rinses, toys, etc.) to prevent tartar buildup and keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

It is important to use pet-specific toothpaste, which is available in our online store in a variety of flavors that pets love. This will make the whole experience much more enjoyable for you and your pet! Human toothpaste and baking soda should never be used in pets as they contain ingredients that can cause internal issues if swallowed. Pet toothpaste not only tastes great to your pet, but they are also specifically designed to break down your pet’s plaque, reducing the time that you spend brushing their teeth.