Pet Teeth
Cleaning
Pet Teeth Cleaning in Westwood and Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
For your pet’s overall health and wellness, don’t neglect dental care. Like their human companions, pets require routine teeth cleaning to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Oral health is important not only to ensure fresh breath but also to prevent tooth loss and gum disease. Pet owners can invest in specially designed toothbrushes and dental treats for their dogs and cats, but regular professional teeth cleanings are necessary for the best oral health. Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital and Pompton Lakes Animal Hospital offer teeth cleaning for pets in Westwood and Pompton Lakes, NJ, and the Tri-State area.
Why Is Pet Teeth Cleaning Important?
Regular teeth cleaning helps prevent periodontal disease, the most common dental issue for cats and dogs. Some studies indicate that by the time a dog is three years old, they likely have early signs of periodontal disease. Oral health issues like periodontal disease begin when tartar and plaque accumulate on your pet’s teeth and gumline. It’s not just the teeth that periodontal disease impacts. It can have implications for the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Veterinarians can identify signs and symptoms of early periodontal disease during routine dental exams. However, pets also need professional teeth cleaning to lower their risk for this and other dental conditions. Regular teeth cleaning helps prevent several diseases and conditions:
- Gingivitis: A buildup of plaque that causes inflammation of the gums and pain and swelling in the mouth.
- Tooth fractures: When teeth break, bacteria can enter the inner part of the tooth and cause decay.
- Malocclusion: This misalignment of the teeth and jaw is painful for dogs and might cause teeth to hit other teeth, the lips, or the pet’s palate.
- Tooth resorption: Cats may develop resorptive lesions, which are like cavities. This condition causes the tooth to break down from the inside out, often spreading to other parts of the tooth.
- Stomatitis: This type of oral inflammation in cats is also called feline chronic gingivostomatitis.
Pet Teeth Cleaning Process
Before cleaning a pet’s teeth, veterinarians will conduct bloodwork to determine if your pet’s health allows them to undergo anesthesia. Bloodwork further indicates underlying health concerns. Although our team takes the utmost care with all veterinary services, procedures like teeth cleaning can be nerve-wracking for pets. Anesthesia ensures they are calm during the process and enables safe and proper teeth cleaning. It also ensures pets stay still for X-rays.
Following an oral exam, your pet’s dentist can begin teeth cleaning. They use special dental tools to remove plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth and around the gumline. Dental X-rays evaluate your pet’s teeth and gums in more detail, helping veterinary dentists identify underlying health concerns like abscesses and tooth decay. Dental X-rays are performed at our Westwood location.
After the cleaning, pet dentists perform a comprehensive oral exam to check for signs of dental disease. These could include exposed roots, gum loss, or pockets around the roots of the teeth.
Based on your pet’s teeth cleaning, the veterinarian may have recommendations for better maintaining their oral health.
In general, professional teeth cleaning is necessary at least once a year. However, veterinarians might suggest more frequent teeth cleanings depending on your pet’s oral health needs, age, and breed. For example, dogs and cats with histories of dental problems might need professional teeth cleaning more often.
Signs Your Pet Needs Professional Teeth Cleaning
Veterinarians also suggest ways pet owners can help protect their pet’s oral health. At-home dental care cannot replace professional teeth cleaning but can be effective between appointments. Although some dogs won’t mind teeth brushing, more particular breeds and most cats might be resistant. Be aware that not all products that claim to assist with pet dental health are effective. Our team can help you determine whether brushing your pet’s teeth is beneficial and identify the best tools for cleaning teeth at home.
One of the most important ways to protect your pet’s health is to be aware of the signs of dental problems. Contact your veterinarian about teeth cleaning if you notice any of the following signs:
- Pain in or around the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Swelling around the mouth
- Broken or loose teeth
- Bad breath
- Discoloration
- Lack of appetite or refusal to eat
- Teeth covered in tartar
- Extra teeth (baby teeth that haven’t fallen out)
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, and dropping food while eating
Find Professional Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning in Westwood and Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
Pet owners throughout Westwood and Pompton Lakes, NJ, and the Tri-State area trust the veterinarians at Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital and Pompton Lakes Animal Hospital for professional teeth cleaning. We use advanced technologies and tools to deliver precise dental care and ensure your pet’s comfort. Specialized care options are available for pets with additional needs. If your dog or cat needs to stay overnight, we have experienced technicians watching over them. You can even call in the middle of the night to check on your beloved companion.
Contact us today to learn more about our veterinary services or to schedule an appointment.
Service Available At:
Westwood
- 346 Kinderkamack Rd.
Westwood, NJ 07675 - 201-885-5040
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 10 PM
Pompton
- 9 Cannonball Rd. Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
- 973-835-4774
- Monday – Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Friday: 12 PM – 9 PMSaturday: 10 AM – 2 PMSunday: Closed