Keeping Mouths Healthy with Advanced Veterinary Dental Care in New York City
Our cherished dogs and cats can be prone to tooth decay and periodontal disease without proper treatment. At Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group, we know just how important your pet’s oral health is to their overall health. Oral infections can spread to other parts of the body and cause chronic illness, and that’s the last thing we want for your pet! That’s why we offer advanced veterinary dental care at all our hospitals throughout New York City. With teeth cleanings for dogs and cats, high-quality dental products, and assistance from our team, your pet can enjoy excellent oral health for life.
If your pet has bad breath, they might be due to have their teeth cleaned. Schedule their checkup with us today!
Why is Periodontal Disease So Risky for Dogs and Cats?
Periodontal disease is a silent threat to your pet’s health because the early warning signs are subtle.
In the beginning, food debris in your pet’s mouth gradually builds up and hardens along their gum line. This material, called tartar, eventually hardens into a substance called calculus. Without treatment, this substance can release infectious bacteria into your pet’s mouth and below their gum line. The bacteria attack the gum tissue and the roots of the teeth, causing gradual decay. In more advanced cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect your pet’s heart, liver, and kidneys. If the major organs are affected, this can lead to chronic illness and a potentially shorter lifespan.
Routine Veterinary Dental Care Prevents Periodontal Disease in Pets
Taking care of your pet’s teeth at home on a regular basis and bringing them in to see us annually for a full checkup and oral exam can prevent the onset of periodontal disease.
Some of our recommendations for keeping your pet’s teeth and gums healthy:
- Brushing their teeth at least once a week using a pet toothbrush or finger brush, and the appropriate pet toothpaste
- Using gentle oral wipes to remove food debris from your pet’s teeth and gums
- A prescription dental diet to reduce tartar buildup
- Vet-approved dental chews and treats
What to Expect When Your Pet Sees Us for a Teeth Cleaning Appointment
Your pet’s teeth look pearly white on the outside, but is there anything going on below the gum line? At Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group, we need to examine your pet’s mouth while they are under anesthesia to make an accurate oral health assessment. When your pet is awake, we can only make surface-level assumptions about the condition of their teeth and gums.
After the oral exam, we proceed with cleaning your pet’s teeth above and below the gum line. Our dental tools allow us to remove hardened calculus and treat the tooth enamel to slow down future buildup.
To ensure your pet’s safety during this procedure, we implement the following:
- First, we perform a pre-operative exam to make sure your pet can safely handle the anesthesia
- We run in-house bloodwork to screen your pet’s health
- We perform an electrocardiogram to evaluate the heart
Throughout your pet’s teeth cleaning procedure, our team will monitor your pet’s vitals and make sure they are as comfortable as possible. When your pet is awake and ready to go home at the end of the day, we will provide you with any take-home medications necessary and a list of detailed instructions to help you care for your pet.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact us today!