Advanced Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning in Fishers, IN
Gum disease is one of the most common and frequently overlooked oral health problems affecting dogs and cats, which is why dental care continues to be a much-needed part of your companion’s health routine. Fishers Veterinary Hospital can help you stay on top of your pet’s oral health with professional teeth cleaning services for dogs and cats, and personalized treatment recommendations to implement at home. We do far more with dental care for our patients than many other practices, providing full-mouth X-rays, oral surgeries, and more.
Our goal is to prevent gum disease in dogs and cats as much as possible to keep our patients comfortable, healthy, and happy.
Bad breath is a telling sign that your pet is due for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning.
Call us today at (317) 842-5865 or schedule your pet's appointment below!
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a progressive oral condition that starts with plaque formation along the gum line. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains millions of bacteria. If this substance isn’t removed regularly, it can harden into tartar, gradually destroying gum tissue and secreting infectious bacteria below the gum line. In a worst-case scenario, the pet affected may lose some (or all) of their teeth. In its most severe stage, gum disease can also spread infection to the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys.
Why Your Pet Needs a Routine Exam and Oral Assessment
Gum disease can be sneaky. Dogs and cats typically do not show obvious outward signs of a problem, so the only way we can see if gum disease is developing is to examine your pet. We recommend seeing pets once or twice yearly (depending on their age) for a full checkup.
If your veterinarian recommends cleaning your pet’s teeth, they will discuss the COHAT (comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment) plan with you in detail so you know what to anticipate.
Our Teeth Cleaning Services for Dogs and Cats
Cleaning pet’s teeth is a multi-step process. We treat this procedure as surgery, as your pet needs to be under anesthesia for our team to perform the teeth cleaning properly and safely.
A typical teeth cleaning appointment involves the following:
- Pre-operative lab work
- IV catheterization
- General anesthesia
- Full-mouth dental x-rays
- Teeth cleaning and polishing
- Detailed dental charting
- Extractions when indicated
- Periodontal therapy
- Preventive care
- Oral mass removals (if needed)
The Importance of Full-Mouth Dental X-Rays
At Fishers Veterinary Hospital, we go deeper to improve our patients’ dental health. With full-mouth dental X-rays, we can look below the gum line and assess your pet’s tooth roots and jawbone for signs of disease or injury. These structures are otherwise invisible and any issues associated with them will go unnoticed without the help of our dental X-ray equipment. Because dental X-rays are required for every dental procedure, we can give every pet the most complete and life-enhancing dental care possible.
Cleaning Pet’s Teeth at Home
While dental care at Fishers Veterinary Hospital is certainly important, what you do at home is equally critical. Whether your pet is healthy or in the early stages of gum disease, your veterinarian can recommend home dental health care measures to keep any existing conditions from getting worse.
We generally recommend the following:
- Brushing your pet’s teeth daily or weekly
- Using dental treats and rinses
- Following a dental-focused diet to reduce tartar formation