Dog dental care

Professional Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning in Bartow, FL

Do you pull away when your pet tries to give kisses? Bad breath is common in dogs and cats, but it is also typically a sign of poor oral hygiene and health. Without clean, healthy teeth and gums, your companion is vulnerable to oral bacterial infections. At Main Street Veterinary Center in Bartow, FL, cat and dog teeth cleanings are part and parcel of a responsible, comprehensive pet care plan. Dental care is essential to an animal’s health and longevity.

For complete, quality dentistry and helpful treatment recommendations for your pet, reach out to us today at (863) 534-9584, or schedule an appointment today!

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Signs of Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats

Dental disease occurs when bacteria secreted under the gum line attacks the gum tissue and tooth roots, causing inflammation and discomfort. If allowed to progress, dental disease breaks down the supporting structures of the teeth and puts your pet at risk for tooth loss, bone loss, and possible systemic infection.

Identifying signs of dental disease in your pet can be difficult, especially since most dogs and cats do not exhibit outward clinical symptoms. Fortunately, there are several key things you can check for to see if your pet is urgently in need of dental treatment:

  • Noticeably bad breath
  • Swollen and/or bleeding gums
  • Drooling
  • Dropping food on the floor during mealtime
  • Chewing on one side when eating
  • Eating less
  • Rubbing/pawing at mouth

You can also try lifting your pet’s lip for a glance at their teeth. If you notice any yellow/brown discoloration and buildup on their teeth, they should see us sooner than later for a checkup!

What to Expect with Teeth Cleanings for Dogs and Cats

Professional cat and dog teeth cleaning procedures here in Bartow must be performed with pets under anesthesia. This is the only way we can thoroughly examine the teeth, diagnose problems, and provide proper treatment.

Dog holding toothbrush

Here are the steps we follow:

  • Prior to the teeth cleaning procedure, we examine your pet and run bloodwork to assess organ function and make sure anesthesia will be safe for them

  • While your pet is under anesthesia, we perform a complete oral exam, checking each tooth, charting our findings, and looking for pockets around the teeth

  • If we find a tooth that is loose and/or damaged, we will need to extract it (your pet will receive appropriate pain relief medication)

  • When cleaning your pet’s teeth, we remove accrued plaque and tartar from the crown and from the root, below the gum line, where most oral problems take place

  • If we discover any deep gingival pockets, we will administer an antibiotic gel to treat the existing infection and prevent future infection

  • If your pet has a tooth extraction, we will send them home with pain relief medication and help you schedule a follow-up exam to make sure they are healing well

Make Daily At-Home Dental Care Part of Your Pet’s Routine

It’s important to maintain your pet’s oral health at home with daily treatment. We strongly recommend brushing their teeth every day, or as frequently as possible to remove food debris and prevent plaque formation. This also helps to extend time between teeth cleanings at our clinic.

Our team would be happy to show you how to brush your pet’s teeth, and offer other dental care options to improve their oral health. Contact us today at (863) 534-9584 or request an appointment!

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orange cat licking chops