Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning Services in Monroe, MI
Your pet’s oral health has a direct effect on their overall health. If their teeth and gums are in bad shape, chances are they have other, underlying issues in other parts of the body. Furthermore, poor oral health impacts your pet’s quality of life. They might not enjoy playing, chewing on their toys, or eating the way they once did. At our animal clinic in Monroe, MI, we offer cat and dog teeth cleaning so your pet can lead a happy, healthy life for as long as possible.
Signs of Poor Dental Health in Dogs and Cats
Unlike us, our pets are not able to give voice to any health problems they have. Often, dogs and cats will continue to act normal despite their discomfort. As your pet’s guardian, it’s up to you to see the warning signs, which usually include:
- Bad breath
- Brown/yellow discoloration of the teeth
- Red, swollen gums
- Drooling
- Dropping food while eating
- Shying away from chew toys
- Resistant to having face/mouth handled
- Changes in behavior (eating less, sleeping more)
- Loose or broken teeth
How We Perform Cat and Dog Teeth Cleanings at Our Clinic
Here are the primary steps we follow to effectively clean your pet’s teeth:
All dogs and cats must be given anesthesia for their teeth cleaning procedure. When cleaning pets’ teeth, we have to go under the gum line to remove plaque and tartar. Under anesthesia, your pet will feel no discomfort or stress, and we can make sure all buildup and bacteria are safely removed.
Calculus is a hardened substance on the teeth that cannot be removed with brushing. To break up this material, we use an ultrasonic scaler above and below the gum line.
To slow future plaque and tartar buildup, we polish the enamel surface of each tooth to a smooth shine, so food debris can’t stick as easily.
After your pet’s teeth have been cleaned, we administer an oral rinse to wash away any remaining debris in the mouth and below the gum line.
Occasionally, the best way to treat a severely damaged or loose tooth is to remove it altogether. Any pain caused by the tooth will be eliminated, and your pet can return to eating their regular food once they’ve healed properly. We provide the necessary pain relief medication to keep your pet comfortable while they’re recovering.
