Providing Professional Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning Services in Indianapolis, IN
Your pet’s quality of life is closely tied to their oral health. Many dogs and cats live with dental diseases that can be sufficiently prevented with proper and routine dental care. At Broad Ripple Animal Clinic, we understand it can be difficult to manage certain aspects of your companion’s care, especially if they are resistant to your efforts. However, our team is more than happy to work with you to make providing dental care to your pet easier, so they can enjoy better health and a happier life with you!
Has your pet had a dental exam in the last year?
The Importance of Routine Dental Exams and Teeth Cleanings for Dogs and Cats
Routine dental exams and teeth cleanings allow us to monitor your pet’s oral health and recommend teeth cleanings to prevent the development of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease causes a variety of symptoms and issues for dogs and cats, including:
- Bad breath
- Swollen, painful gums
- Thick, hardened plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth
- Difficulty chewing and eating (though some pets will continue eating as normal despite their condition)
- Drooling
- Irritability and other changes in behavior
Did you know that 70% your pet’s tooth is under the gumline?
When we see your pet for an oral exam, we can check their teeth and gums for any signs of a problem. However, this exam is limited to what we can see above the gumline. We will need to discuss any potential issues your pet is having at home that may be tied to their oral health. What we learn during this appointment can help us determine whether your pet should have their teeth examined more thoroughly and cleaned.
With cat and dog teeth cleanings, we can halt the progression of plaque and tartar buildup and help to slow its development in the future. If your pet presents with periodontal disease, we can remove the tartar buildup and cleanse away any present bacterial infection in their mouth.
What Do Cat and Dog Teeth Cleanings Involve?
To clean your pet’s teeth, they will need to be put under general anesthesia. This ensures your pet’s comfort and safety during the procedure, and it allows us to perform the teeth cleaning as thoroughly as possible. While under anesthesia, your veterinarian will complete a full exam of the mouth, gums, and tongue, which isn’t possible while your pet is awake.
At Broad Ripple Animal Clinic, our teeth cleanings involve:
- A pre-anesthetic exam and blood work
- Digital, full-mouth dental X-rays to check for underlying problems
- Using cutting-edge dental scaling equipment to expertly remove all traces of plaque and tartar
- Providing oral medication as needed to treat bacterial infection
- Performing extractions (as needed) to remove irreparably damaged teeth
- Administering aggressive pain management in case of extractions
Why Your Pet Needs At-Home Dental Care
Your pet’s life-long dental treatment begins at home, with you! We recommend routine teeth-brushing for all dogs and cats, starting as early as possible in their life to help them adjust to the procedure. Brushing your pet’s teeth can slow plaque formation, which can lessen the number of professional teeth cleanings your pet may need throughout their lifetime.
We also recommend dental care products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. These products are fully tested and guaranteed by veterinarians, and can help to supplement your pet’s current dental care regimen.
If you need help putting together a dental treatment plan for your canine or feline family member, get in touch with us by calling (317) 257-5334!