Dog or Cat Teeth Cleanings serving Ames and Gilbert, IA

Have you noticed that your pet’s breath smells unpleasant, or have you seen some discoloration or buildup on their teeth? Was a dental cleaning recommended at your animal’s regular checkup? We understand that you may find this concerning, but just like humans, dental health is an important part of your pet’s overall health, so a professional cleaning may be recommended. Our team has vast experience in caring for the dental needs of our patients, so you can be confident that at Companion Animal Clinic, your fur-baby is in good hands when it’s time for a teeth cleaning.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, call us at (515) 233-6689.

What is a Pet Dental Cleaning?

During your dog or cat’s dental cleaning (sometimes called a prophylaxis), plaque and tartar are removed from a pet’s teeth, and the health of the entire mouth (tongue, gums, lips, and teeth) is assessed. A thorough dental cleaning can be accomplished only while the pet is under general anesthesia. Anesthesia keeps your pet free of pain during the dental procedure and allows us to fully inspect the teeth and remove tartar from under the gums. During anesthesia, a soft plastic tube is inserted into the trachea (the main airway in the throat) to support the patient’s breathing. Placement of the tracheal tube also prevents inhalation of bacteria that are aerosolized during the dental cleaning.

What Our Cleanings May Include:

  • Removing Visible Plaque and Tartar From the Teeth
  • Eliminating Plaque and Tartar From Under the Gum
  • Probing Dental Sockets to Assess Dental Disease
  • Polishing Teeth to Smooth Enamel Scratches That May Attract Bacteria
  • Performing Dental Radiographs (X-rays) to Evaluate Problems Below the Gumline
  • Applying Fluoride or Dental Sealer
  • Monitoring Dental Disease Progression by Performing Dental Charting
  • Inspecting the Lips, Tongue, and Entire Mouth for Growths, Wounds, or Other Problems

How Do I Know If My Pet Needs a Dental Cleaning?

Regular inspection of your pet’s mouth is important to catch dental disease in the early stages. Tartar may appear as a brownish-gold buildup on the teeth, close to the gum-line. Redness or bleeding along the gum line may indicate gingivitis.

What Are the Benefits of a Dental Cleaning?

A professional dog or cat dental cleaning removes not only the visible plaque and tartar on the teeth surfaces but also the bacteria under the gums. This eliminates potential sources of infection to the mouth and other organs and protects your pet from pain and tooth loss.

Schedule an Appointment Today at Companion Animal Clinic

Our team looks forward to helping with any questions or concerns you might have about a dog or cat dental cleaning serving Ames and Gilbert, IA. Schedule an appointment for a consultation or a dental cleaning today. Call us at (515) 233-6689!

FAQS

How Often Should a Patient be Treated?

Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received 2 to 3 times a week, tapering to once ever week or two as improvement is seen.

How Many Treatments Does it Take?

This depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions, 1-2 treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require 5 to 8 (or more) treatments. Some conditions require ongoing periodic care to control pain.

How Long Before the Results are Felt?

Your pet may feel improvement in their condition (usually pain reduction) after the first treatment. Sometimes they will not feel improvement for a number of treatments. This does not mean that nothing is happening! Each treatment is cumulative and results are often felt after 3 or 4 sessions.

Can it be Used in Conjunction with Other Forms of Treatment?

Yes! Laser Therapy is often used with other forms of therapy, including physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, massage, soft tissue mobilization, electrotherapy and following surgery. Other healing modalities are complementary and can be used with laser to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

Does it Hurt? What Does a Treatment Feel Like?

There is little to no sensation during treatment. Occasionally, the patient feels mild, soothing warmth, or tingling. Areas of pain or inflammation may be sensitive briefly before pain reduction.

Are There Any Side Effects or Associated Risks?

During more than twenty years of use by healthcare providers all over the world, very few side effects have ever been reported. Occasionally, some old injuries or pain syndromes may feel aggravated for a few days, as the healing response is more active after treatment.

How Long Does Each Treatment Take?

The typical treatment is 3 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.

Contact Us For Availability!

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Hours

Monday: 8AM–5PM

Tuesday: 8AM–6PM

Wednesday: 8AM–5PM

Thursday: 8AM–5:30PM

Friday: 8AM–5PM

Saturday: 9AM–1PM

Sunday: Closed

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