Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning in Bayonne, Hoboken and Jersey City
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 health. 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 pet dental care services at Dr. Michael Tuder & Associates are designed to both prevent and treat oral problems, including broken teeth and gum disease. Our dental suites are equipped with modern tools 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 gum line
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, bring your pet in to one of our convenient locations in Bayonne, Hoboken, Jersey City Downtown, or Jersey City Heights!
Dental Evaluation
During the dental evaluation we will examine your pet’s teeth and gums to confirm that a dog or cat 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 it line by line so you are thoroughly informed.
Once you agree to have your dog or cat’s teeth cleaned, we will perform preanesthetic blood tests to make sure that your pet’s kidneys and liver are healthy for anesthesia as part of the teeth cleaning procedure and will also check their heart and abdomen as needed. Finally we will schedule an appointment your pet’s dental cleaning visit and will advise you of anything that you need to do to prepare for the visit.
Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning Procedure
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 cause periodontal disease. It is especially important to clean below the gumline since tartar growth there 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 it prior to carrying out additional treatment. Our findings may necessitate a follow-up visit.
At-Home Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning
Bringing your pet in once a year for an exam, and scheduling teeth cleanings as needed, are important in keeping your pet’s mouth healthy, but at-home care is equally important. 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 a pet-specific toothpaste, available on our online store in many 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, they are specifically designed to break down your pet’s plaque, reducing the time that you spend brushing their teeth.