Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning in Wilmington

Your pet needs good dental care, just like you do. Though it’s often overlooked, your pet’s dental hygiene is important, since oral health directly affects their overall health and happiness. If neglected long enough, bacteria in the mouth can eventually lead to organ damage (gum disease), cutting years from your pet’s life. The good news is that gum disease can be stopped before it starts with regular preventive dental care.

Wilmington Animal Hospital offers a full range of pet dentistry services to keep your pet happy and healthy for years to come. To accommodate more of our patients, we offer anesthetized and non-anesthetized dog and cat teeth cleaning.

Anesthetized Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning

Our pet dentistry services in Wilmington begin with a complete physical exam to ensure that your pet will remain as safe and comfortable as possible under anesthesia. During the procedure, a technician will continuously monitor your pet’s vitals, including ECG, blood pressure and oxygen levels. The comprehensive teeth cleaning process includes:

• Scaling to remove tartar and plaque
• Thorough check under the gum line for signs of periodontal disease
• Digital X-rays
• Polishing of teeth
• Application of treatment to prevent future tartar buildup

Non-Anesthetized Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning

We also offer the option of non-anesthetized pet dentistry services, which is a good option for young or senior pets, or for pets that shouldn’t be anesthetized, due to their medical history. We’re pleased to team with Pet Dental Services (PDS) to offer this adjunctive treatment option. PDS technicians undergo rigorous training and are skilled in proper dog and cat handling techniques, which they use to maintain control while keeping your pet safe, calm, and comfortable during the teeth cleaning process. As with anesthetized cleaning, this procedure also includes scaling, probing, polishing, and an oral rinse. This is not intended to replace anesthetized dental care with dental x-rays, but is rather an adjunctive care option. This is best utilized between anesthetized procedures, and is only for patients that have non-aggressive behavior and no periodontal disease.

Have questions? For more details into our full dental services, see our Dentistry FAQ page.

At-Home Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning

After your pet’s visit, we recommend that you implement a regular brushing routine to maintain your pet’s oral health. Our friendly, knowledgeable pet dentistry staff in Wilmington can demonstrate proper teeth cleaning techniques and help you choose the most effective dental products for your pet. You should also become familiar with your pet’s mouth and learn to recognize the signs of dental problems, which can include:

• Bad breath
• Red or swollen gums
• Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
• Loose or missing teeth

If it’s been a while since your pet’s last dental exam, or if you notice any of these symptoms, call us at (302) 762-2694 to make an appointment today. Let’s work together to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy and happy life.