Pet Dental Care

Dental care is a must for your pet! Clean teeth and a healthy mouth do more than just prevent bad breath - regular dental care helps stop periodontal disease, an infection that not only damages your pet's teeth, but his or her heart, liver and other organs as well.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions pets face. The good news is that it's easy to prevent. Routine dental cleanings and a home dental care regimen go a long way toward stopping periodontal disease before it starts. Plaque and tartar buildup on your pet's teeth can lead to swollen, bleeding gums. If left untreated, the bacteria that forms from plaque and tartar can enter your pet's bloodstream and infect other internal organs. If your pet is experiencing difficulty chewing, red and swollen gums, excessive drooling or pawing at his or her mouth, please bring him or her in immediately for a dental exam.

Cherokee Animal Clinic performs routine dental cleanings and tooth extractions as necessary. Our registered veterinary technicians are trained to perform all of our dental cleanings and preventive care. A veterinarian evaluates each pet and performs any extractions that might be needed.

Your Pet's Dental Cleaning

Your pet's dental cleaning is much different than the same procedure you undergo each year at your dentist. Anesthesia is needed to keep your pet still and comfortable during the cleaning. Prior to each cleaning, we perform a thorough pre-anesthetic screening in order to detect any problems that might arise from the use of anesthesia. Once an anesthetic protocol unique to your pet is developed, the cleaning is performed.

The first step in the dental cleaning is the removal of tartar, which is done with a hand scaler. An ultrasonic scaler is then used to clean above the gumline, and a curette is used to clean below the gumline. Your pet's teeth are then polished, creating a smooth surface that prevents future plaque and tartar buildup. Finally, your pet's teeth are washed with an anti-bacterial solution to help further prevent tartar buildup.

Home Dental Care

You can continue your pet's dental routine at home. Oxyfresh, a water additive that aids in the prevention of plaque buildup on your pet's freshly cleaned teeth, is sent home with all dental patients. Our staff can also show you how to properly brush your pet's teeth, which helps stop plaque and tartar buildup before it starts. We also recommend treats and toys that promote good dental health.