Veterinary Dentistry & Dental Surgery

Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams

Just as with routine wellness exams, dental checkups are recommended to be performed annually. Your vet may suggest more frequent examinations if your pet is prone to dental conditions.

Our team at Veterinary Healthcare Center is able to assess, diagnose and treat various dental concerns in your pet. 

• Symptoms

  Here are some of the symptoms that you should watch out for with your pet: 

  • Tartar buildup
  • Loose and/or broken teeth
  • Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Bad breath 
  • Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
  • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
  • Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth 
  • Discolored teeth 

  Contact Us to Book a Dental Checkup
• Assessment

  Prior to your pet undergoing a dental exam, your vet will complete a pre-anesthetic physical assessment.

  We will perform a variety of diagnostic tests to determine if it is safe for your pet to receive anesthesia. Your vet may also recommend additional diagnostics to confirm the health of your pet.

  We will perform a full exam and chart all of your pet's teeth once they are safely under anesthesia. 

• Treatment

  Your vet will then take X-rays of your pet's teeth and complete a full cleaning above and below the gum line. A fluoride treatment will be applied to each tooth in order to provide further protection.

  Lastly, your vet will apply a sealant to the teeth in order to prevent plaque and tartar from attaching to the teeth. If your vet discovers advanced periodontal disease then they discuss the next steps that you will need to take. 

• Prevention

  You should schedule a follow-up examination with your vet approximately 2 weeks after your pet's visit.

  During this visit, we will ensure that you are well-prepared for how to successfully care for your pet's teeth at home in order to prevent future dental conditions from occurring. Home care combined with routine dental visits is key to long-term oral health care.

FAQs About Veterinary Dentistry

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our clients about veterinary dentistry.

• Why is it important for pets to have clean teeth?

  If your pet suffers from poor oral health they can develop dental concerns such as periodontal disease or tooth decay.

  As your pet eats, plaque and bacteria stick to their teeth and if not regularly cleaned and brushed, this can build up and form tartar.

  Tartar is difficult to remove and can lead to oral infections, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. Daily teeth brushing is important to avoid oral concerns such as these.

• What are the signs of oral health concerns?

  Your pet may begin to behave differently if they are experiencing oral health concerns. They may be drooling more than usual with our without the presence of blood or pus, or they may paw at their mouth and teeth. Yawning, teeth grinding and a lack of grooming are all also signs of dental concerns.

  Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may even suffer from pain that keeps them from eating. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams. 

• What are the long-term consequences of poor oral health?

  While some of the immediate concerns of poor oral health are issues such as cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, these oral health issues and conditions can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas of your pet's body.

  If your pet is suffering from dental issues they will also be physically unwell and in pain, and the dental issues could cause your pet's life to be shortened.

  This makes dental care incredibly important to the overall health and wellbeing of your pet.

• What will happen during the dental appointment?

  During a dental visit, your vet will perform a complete oral exam, as well as teeth cleaning.

  Your vet will scrub away the tartar buildup and if there are signs of cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions then your vet will determine if there are any other concerns that will need to be addressed, if there are then your vet will provide treatment recommendations for your pet.

  There may be conditions that will require oral surgery. Your vet will administer anesthesia to your pet prior to any dental services in order to keep them comfortable and to ensure they do not experience any pain.

• How can I care for my pet's teeth at home?

  You can provide dental chews and toys for your pet in order to help remove the plaque 

  Always ensure that your pet does not chew on anything that could hurt them. Avoid items such as antlers of hard objects.