Professional Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning in South Loop, Chicago, IL
Fresh breath and a healthy smile are just as important for your pet as they are for you. Partners Animal Hospital South Loop offers oral exams and professional cat and dog teeth cleanings to keep dental disease at bay, and ensure a better quality of life for your pet. We’re happy to assist you in developing a dental care regimen just for them, and provide routine deep cleanings to keep their teeth and gums healthy for as long as possible. With a healthy mouth, your pet can avoid secondary illness and potentially live longer.
Protect your pet’s health with the help of dental care.
What Exactly is Dental Disease?
Dental disease is the result of a bacterial infection in the mouth, caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth. Without treatment, the bacteria secreted from this material can seep under the gum line and into your pet’s bloodstream, and eventually infect their major organs.
In many cases, dogs and cats may not show outward signs of dental disease. However, there are several things you can look for to determine whether a dental checkup is necessary:
- Drooling
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Dropping food while eating
- Chewing on one side when eating
- Rubbing at face and mouth
- Behaving differently (less active, less sociable)
- Avoiding chew toys
To get a peek at your pet’s teeth, you can flip up their lip for signs of reddened gums and brownish buildup along the gum line. Dogs and cats are not always receptive to having their mouth handled, especially if their mouth is hurting, but a brief glimpse may be enough to alert you to a problem.
Preventing Dental Disease with Cat and Dog Teeth Cleanings
Cleaning your pet’s teeth is a more complex process than having your teeth cleaned at your dentist’s office.
At Partners Animal Hospital South Loop, there are several steps we follow to safely and thoroughly clean your pet’s teeth:
- First, since your pet will need to be under anesthesia for their teeth cleaning, we conduct a pre-dental examination and blood work to make sure your pet is healthy.
- When your pet is fully anesthetized, we perform a full oral exam, checking the teeth from top to bottom and assessing the gums for periodontal pockets.
- If necessary, we also perform dental X-rays to check for hidden infections and damage.
- To clean your pet’s teeth, we use scaling tools to effectively remove hardened material from above and under the gum line.
- After cleaning the teeth, we then polish the tooth enamel to make it more resistant to future buildup and bacteria.
Is Teeth Brushing Essential for Dogs and Cats?
Daily teeth brushing is the ideal way to stay on top of your pet’s dental care. Furthermore, it can lengthen the time between in-hospital teeth cleanings. We strongly recommend introducing teeth brushing to your pet when they’re still young, and have time to adjust to the procedure. Additionally, we can offer other dental product recommendations to supplement your pet’s treatment.
