Everything You Need to Know About Getting Your Pet's Teeth Cleaned

If your pet, a loyal friend and family member, had problems with a major organ like the liver, kidneys or heart you would without a doubt seek medical attention immediately. Did you know you can prevent serious health risks to major organs through prevention dental care? It’s true! And that is exactly why teeth cleaning for your cherished pet is so important. Caring for your pet’s dental care will prevent other health problems in the future and will save your pet care dollars for treating other illnesses in the future.

A healthy mouth makes for a healthy pet (not to mention better breath.) An unhealthy mouth not only leads to periodontal disease but, that buildup of bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and affect other areas in their body causing serious health problems.

Usually your pet will not let you know they have a dental problem until the problem has progressed into a painful (or smelly) problem. Regular teeth cleanings and checkups will prevent small problems from progressing to serious health concerns.

Your vet will help keep your pet’s teeth from wearing out and can prevent tooth loss. Dog or cat teeth cleaning will prevent current problems from getting worse and prevent periodontal disease.

Some might think it strange to consider cat or dog dental cleaning for pet care, but it is just as important for your fur babies as it is for you!

This visit can be done when your pet is in for their yearly exam and vaccinations, or on a separate visit if you have a concern. Your pet’s teeth cleaning process begins with coming into Chipman Road Animal Clinic for an initial visit. During this visit, your dog (or cat) will receive an oral exam. The vet will then get an understanding of the condition of your pet’s teeth and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice for pet’s teeth cleaning routines at home.

After the initial dental assessment the veterinarian will have a general idea of your pet's oral condition and you can prepare for the dog dental care you are seeking to keep your pet healthy.

If there are no problems to address like tooth extractions, your pet dental cleaning should take around 45 minutes to an hour.

In preparation for your pet's teeth cleaning session, blood may be drawn to check for any potential problems the veterinarian needs to know about, making sure your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.

While under anesthesia, a full cleaning will follow for removing plaque from your dog’s teeth. All tartar on your pet’s teeth will be removed with an ultra sonic scaler, then polished with a low-speed polisher.

The anesthesia will also allow the doctor or technician to perform a complete oral exam to identify any problems that could cause painful problems like broken teeth, periodontal disease, dead teeth, abscesses or infected teeth.

Your pet’s teeth cleaning will include professional scaling and polishing on the visible parts of the teeth, giving your pet a healthy clean mouth. The process is then finished with a rinsing out the mouth. No more sour breath! And now your dental cleaning process is wrapped up.

If you are concerned about anesthesia, talk with one of the professionals at Chipman Road Animal Clinic. We love that you are concerned, and will share our expertise with you concerning this safe procedure . We will be very clear and up front about anesthesia protocol.

Usually, your pet is able to go home after recovery unless an additional procedure is necessary. The teeth cleaning process will make for a tender mouth and it may be good to hold off on food for a bit. Your veterinarian at Chipman Road Animal Clinic will give you helpful advice for your individual pet’s feeding requirement after their teeth cleaning.

Dental health checkups should happen at least once a year. Some pets may require a checkup every six months; it honestly just depends on your pet’s individual needs. You can trust the veterinarians at Chipman Road Animal Clinic to know exactly what your pet’s teeth cleaning requirements are.

If you are taking good care of your pet’s teeth at home, you may not need professional teeth cleaning as often. Our professionals at Chipman Road Animal Clinic have valuable advice in this area as well.

Routine teeth cleaning maintenance will go a long way to benefit your pet and can prolong the need for professional teeth cleaning.

As you may have discovered, there are a variety of over the counter teeth cleaning products available like tooth brushes and toothpaste, dental sprays and washes or chew toys and treats. You may have to experiment around with a few to see which one works best for your pet. Also, you can always rely on the experience and knowledge of the professionals at Chipman Road Animal Clinic to steer you in the right direction.

If you are still unsure about professional pet teeth cleaning, do not hesitate to talk to us about your concerns. We love animals and care about your pets. Consult with Chipman Road Animal Clinic; we would be happy to walk you through the process of pet dental cleaning.