Improving Oral Health with Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning
Dogs and cats need healthy mouths to have healthy bodies. Oral hygiene in pets is often overlooked due in part to our busy, hectic lives and the difficulty of brushing our pet’s teeth every day.
Pet Dental
At Kelly Veterinary Clinic in Adrian, we’re committed to helping people overcome these challenges and become more involved in their pet’s daily care. Leaving their oral hygiene to chance leaves dogs and cats at risk for tooth decay, tooth loss, and diseases of the heart, liver, and kidneys. Fortunately, these problems can be prevented with the correct cat/dog teeth cleaning program.
Our Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning Services for Preventing Dental Disease
Oral Exams
To determine whether your pet is due for teeth cleaning, we need to check for bad breath, reddened gums, plaque, and tartar buildup. We also conduct a tooth-by-tooth exam while your pet is under general anesthesia for their teeth cleaning procedure.
Dental X-rays
Digital dental X-rays might need to be taken to gauge the damage to the teeth and gums and check for tooth and bone loss. Since most dental pathology is hidden below the gum line, dental X-rays are the only way for us to see the bigger picture regarding your pet’s oral health.
Teeth Scaling and Polishing
To clean your pet’s teeth properly, we use an ultrasonic scaler to remove hardened calculus above and below the gum line, then polish the tooth enamel to reduce and delay plaque and tartar formation. We also flush out the gums with an antiseptic rinse to ensure a complete cleaning.
Tooth Extractions
What We Recommend for Cleaning Your Pet’s Teeth at Home in Adrian MI
The bulk of your pet’s dental care should take place at home. We highly recommend brushing their teeth daily to slow the plaque buildup and reduce the number (and frequency) of teeth cleanings at our clinic.
In addition to brushing, you can also try:
- A special dental diet for tartar control
- Dental chews (for dogs only)
- Dental treats
- Water additives
- Oral care wipes
Is your pet uncooperative when you try to brush their teeth? Try applying pet toothpaste to a gauze square, wrapping the gauze around your finger, and gently rubbing it in a circular motion along the gum line. This might be easier for your pet to handle.
Veterinary Services
Below are all of the veterinary services we offer at Kelly Veterinary Clinic. If you have any questions regarding our services, please feel free to call us.