Teeth Cleaning - Preventing Gingivitis

Teeth Cleaning in Pacific Grove, CA

Does your best friend have bad breath? Despite what many pet owners believe, “dog breath” is not just a nuisance. It’s a sign of an unhealthy mouth. At Pacific Grove Animal Hospital, professional teeth cleaning helps prevent gingivitis and keeps your dog’s or cat’s mouth healthy.

Understanding Dental Disease and Gingivitis

Bad breath is caused by bacteria. Over time, bacteria lead to plaque and tartar buildup on your pet’s teeth. The result is bad breath, reddened gums, and other common signs of dental disease. As dental disease progresses, other symptoms can include drooling, discomfort while chewing, and loose or missing teeth.

A professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar that brushing at home can’t reach, which helps prevent gingivitis, tooth loss, and painful infections. Because oral bacteria can affect other parts of the body, a healthy mouth also supports your pet’s overall health and quality of life.

What to Expect During Teeth Cleaning

Dental care starts with a look at your pet’s teeth and gums. Here’s what you can expect:

A Brief Visual Examination

Let us examine your pet’s teeth and gums to determine any dental issues you should know about. After a brief visual examination, we may recommend a more detailed examination (which requires sedation), a dental cleaning, or at-home dental care options.

Sedation and a Complete Oral Assessment

A thorough cleaning and a detailed look at every tooth require sedation, and your pet’s vital signs are monitored throughout. When your pet needs professional care, our hospital offers modern diagnostic equipment, including full digital dental X-ray technology and complete oral cavity assessments. Dental radiographs show the roots and bone below the gumline, where much of dental disease hides.

Scaling and Polishing

Plaque and tartar are removed from above and below the gumline. Each tooth is then polished to smooth the surface and slow future buildup, an essential step in preventing gingivitis.

At-Home Care

We advocate for at-home oral-health routines, ideally focusing on daily brushing. After the cleaning, our team will go over aftercare and answer your questions about keeping your pet’s teeth clean between visits.

Why Teeth Cleaning Matters for Your Pet

Regular teeth cleaning prevents painful dental disease and keeps your pet’s mouth healthy. Untreated plaque and tartar can lead to gingivitis and tooth loss, and can affect your pet’s comfort and well-being.

Prevents Painful Dental Disease

Routine cleanings remove the buildup that causes gum inflammation and tooth decay, so your pet can eat and play comfortably.

Supports Overall Health

Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect organs such as the heart and kidneys. Keeping the mouth clean helps reduce that risk.

Fresher Breath

Since bad breath is caused by bacteria, clean teeth and healthy gums mean fresher breath and a happier companion.

Signs Your Pet May Need Teeth Cleaning

Watch for these common signs of dental disease:

• Bad breath
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Yellow or brown tartar on the teeth
• Drooling
• Discomfort while chewing
• Loose or missing teeth

If you notice any of these signs, contact our team so we can take a look. Advanced disease may call for tooth extraction or other dental treatment.

How Often Should Your Pet Receive Teeth Cleaning?

How often your pet needs a professional cleaning depends on their age, breed, and oral health history. Our veterinarians will help you determine the right schedule for your pet. Between visits, daily brushing is the best way to keep plaque in check.

Practice Highlights

• On-Site Digital Dental X-Rays and complete oral cavity assessments
• Dentistry Is a Special Interest of owner Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau
• AAHA Accredited and a Cat Friendly Practice® Gold
• Voted Best Vet in Monterey County by Monterey Weekly six years in a row