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Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning in Dallas, TX
Did you know poor oral health can have a big impact on your pet’s overall health? Like humans, pets require regular teeth cleaning and dental care. If proper care isn’t continually administered to your pet’s teeth and gums, tartar and plaque can build up, entering the bloodstream and leading to serious health problems. Your pet’s health is our number one concern and our veterinarians will do whatever is necessary to ensure your four-legged friend lives a long and health life.
About Our Dallas, TX, Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning Services
Rutherford Veterinary Hospital believes a little prevention can go a long way, which is why we offer a complete range of professional cat and dog teeth cleaning services. We highly recommend that your pet’s teeth and gums be evaluated by one of our skilled veterinarians. While a general oral exam is part of a yearly physical exam, in order to have a complete evaluation of the teeth and gums, it needs to be reviewed under anesthesia. Signs that there may be oral issues include:
- Bad breath
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Excessive drooling or dropping food out of the mouth
- Swelling around the mouth or below the eye
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Bleeding from the mouth
What’s Involved in a Full Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
- Safe and professionally monitored anesthesia
- Complete oral exam, including full mouth digital X-rays performed
- Ultrasonic scaling to achieve deep cleaning
- Probing and exploring under the gum line and addressing any oral pathology found
- Tooth extractions, if necessary
- Polishing the enamel surfaces
- Designing a preventative home care program
Anesthetic Dentistry
One thing we don’t do at Rutherford Veterinary Hospital is anesthesia-free dentistry. In 2013, the American Animal Hospital Association created a mandatory dental standard, stating that all pet dental procedures must be performed while patients are intubated and under general anesthesia. General anesthesia allows us to thoroughly assess the oral health needs of your pet and perform necessary procedures while they are comfortably sedated. Before this standard was in place, we tried anesthesia-free dental procedures, believing it might be a good alternative for our clients. However, we found this procedure lacking and not allowing for complete oral care except for limited cosmetic tartar removal.
Since we’re an AAHA-accredited hospital, we follow the guidelines set for us in order to continually provide the best care possible for your pet by meeting the highest standards available. You can refer to our Anesthetic Dentistry letter by Dr. Teri Rowan to learn more about why we do not practice anesthesia-free dentistry.
At-Home Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning in Dallas, TX
Our doctors encourage you to get proactive with your pet’s oral health by engaging in at-home cat and dog teeth cleaning for them. We recommend regular teeth brushing to prevent tartar and plaque buildup, and we carry a full line of products that are meant specifically for your pet’s dental care. For tips on how to brush your pet’s teeth at home, refer to AAHA’s “How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth (And Why You Should)” blog, or call to arrange to have one of our experienced team members demonstrate brushing your pet’s teeth.
If you would like more information on our cat and dog teeth cleaning services, or to set up an appointment for your pet at our Dallas, TX, animal hospital, please contact us today at (214) 826-4166!