
Don't ignore your pet's bad breath! While stinky breath might seem like a normal part of owning a dog or cat, it is often the first sign of periodontal (gum) disease. At Edgewater Animal Hospital, we provide comprehensive pet dental care to keep your furry family members healthy, happy, and pain-free.
Dental disease doesn't just affect your pet's mouth; if left untreated, bacteria from the gums can enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to life-threatening dysfunction in the heart, kidneys, liver, or lungs. Whether you live right here in Edgewater, or are coming to us from Fort Lee, Cliffside Park, or the surrounding Bergen County area, our veterinary team is here to protect your pet's oral and overall health.
While at-home brushing is a great first line of defense, most pets require professional veterinary intervention to safely and thoroughly clean their teeth. To ensure your pet’s safety and comfort, all of our professional dental cleanings are performed under general anesthesia.
Here is what you can expect when your pet comes in for a dental procedure:
Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork: Your pet’s safety is our top priority. Before any procedure, we run comprehensive bloodwork to ensure their internal organs are healthy enough to process the anesthesia.
Ultrasonic Scaling: Once your pet is safely asleep and closely monitored, we use specialized ultrasonic scaling tools to remove hardened plaque and tartar build-up from the tooth surfaces, both above and below the gumline.
Polishing: After scaling, the teeth contain microscopic scratches that can attract plaque. We polish the enamel smooth to slow down future tartar accumulation.
Did you know that over 60% of a tooth's structure is hidden below the gumline? A tooth can look perfectly healthy on the outside while hiding painful root decay, bone loss, or abscesses underneath.
During every dental cleaning, we perform full-mouth digital dental X-rays. These highly detailed radiographs allow our veterinarians to accurately evaluate the health of the jaw and tooth roots, ensuring no hidden diseases are left behind to cause your pet silent suffering.
Recognizing that your pet is in pain can be difficult, as animals instinctively hide signs of weakness. If our veterinarians discover advanced periodontal disease, severe tooth decay, or fractured teeth during the exam and X-rays, our clinic is fully equipped to perform safe tooth extractions and oral surgery.
We utilize advanced pain management protocols, including local nerve blocks and post-operative medications, to ensure your pet wakes up comfortably and recovers quickly at home.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it is time for a dental evaluation:
Persistent bad or fetid breath
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
Difficulty eating, chewing on one side of the mouth, or dropping food
Loose, discolored, or missing teeth
Pawing at the mouth or face
Excessive drooling or swelling around the jaw
Sudden irritability or lethargy
Preventing oral infections and disease will help your pet live a longer, healthier life. If you are looking for an experienced veterinarian to perform your dog's teeth cleaning in the Edgewater area, we are here to help.
Call us today at (201) 941-7880 or click here to schedule your appointment online!
