Your pet’s overall health is closely tied to their oral health. Plaque, tartar, and dental disease don’t just cause bad breath; they allow harmful bacteria and toxins to leak into the bloodstream, where they can damage vital organs such as the liver, heart, and kidneys. Left untreated, dental disease can shorten your pet’s life.
That’s why at Bayshore Veterinary Hospital, we make dental care a priority. During every physical exam, we check your pet’s teeth and gums, and if needed, we’ll recommend a professional cat or dog teeth cleaning. This is the only way to remove the buildup lurking below the gumline where toothbrushes can’t reach.
We recommend most pets receive an oral exam every year, while smaller breeds prone to dental problems may need an evaluation every 6–8 months.
Call us today at (732) 671-3110 or book online to schedule your pet’s dental exam.
What Does a Professional Cat and Dog Teeth Cleaning Entail?
Our Holmdel animal hospital is equipped with a dedicated dental suite where professional cat and dog teeth cleanings are performed under anesthesia for your pet’s comfort and safety. As with any surgical procedure, we run pre-anesthetic bloodwork to ensure your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia.
A professional dental cleaning typically takes 2–3 hours and includes:
Oral Examination
We conduct a thorough evaluation of the teeth, gums, and entire oral cavity to assess the severity of dental disease and to identify any problematic areas that need to be treated.
Expert Cleaning
Our trained surgical veterinary technician scales and polishes each tooth above and below the gumline using a combination of hand tools and ultrasonic scalers.
Digital Dental X-Rays
We take digital dental X-rays of your pet’s entire mouth to spot hidden issues, such as tooth root abscesses, resorptive lesions, retained root fragments, bone loss, and other periodontal problems.
Tooth Extractions (if necessary)
Sometimes, diseased or damaged teeth are better off being extracted to remove the source of pain and infection. Our veterinarian carefully extracts problematic teeth using multimodal pain management to ensure your pet’s comfort.
At-Home Dental Care for Pets
Once your pet has recovered from their professional cleaning, it’s important to maintain their oral health at home. Consistency is key, as daily care helps prevent plaque from hardening into tartar and reduces the need for frequent professional cleanings.
Your veterinarian will create a home dental care plan designed for your pet, which may include:
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Daily brushing with pet-safe toothpaste to prevent plaque buildup
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Dental chews and treats that help reduce tartar while satisfying your pet’s urge to chew
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Water additives and oral rinses that fight bacteria and freshen breath
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Regular checkups to monitor progress and catch early signs of dental disease
Not every pet will tolerate brushing right away, but our team can guide you on how to slowly introduce it and make dental care a stress-free routine. Even small, consistent efforts at home can make a big difference for your pet’s long-term health.
