Dental Care Services

Dental care is one of the most important things you can do for your pet’s long-term health. Brushing removes daily accumulation of plaque from the teeth. Even though dogs and cats do not commonly get cavities, they do suffer from periodontal disease. If untreated, gum disease can lead to bad breath, pain and tooth loss.

What types of canine and feline dental care services are offered at your hospital?

We offer routine dental cleaning under general anesthesia, full mouth x-rays (just like at your dentist), and surgical tooth extractions as required.

How often should I brush my pet’s teeth?

Ideally you should be brushing their teeth twice daily – it’s not as difficult as you might imagine! You can have one of our experienced Registered Veterinary Technicians guide you through the process of introducing your pet to teeth brushing.

Why is oral and dental health important?

It is highly recommended to have an annual examination for your pet where our veterinary team will assess their teeth and recommend the proper diet/treats and teeth brushing techniques. We might also suggest a dental cleaning depending on your pet’s dental health. Healthy teeth make for a happy and healthy pet (and pet parent)!

Do cats need as much dental care as dogs?

Yes. Dental disease is common in cats. As cats age tartar and gingivitis start to occur. Cats will not show signs of oral discomfort, because the pain associated with dental problems comes on slowly and they learn to adapt by modifying their eating habits. This is one of the reasons why annual examinations are important so that a proper assessment of their oral health can be performed.

What is feline tooth resorption?

Feline tooth resorption is a condition in which the body begins breaking down and absorbing the structures that form the tooth. The process usually starts in the enamel along the gum line and continues towards the center of the tooth. Eventually, the tooth will be almost entirely gone. All that will remain is a raised bump on the gums.

What happens during a dog/cat dental cleaning procedure?

Blood work is performed to ensure anesthetic safety. The patient is then put under anesthesia and a full oral examination and dental radiographs are taken in order to evaluated the extent of the dental disease. The healthy teeth are cleaned and polished while any abscessed or damaged teeth are surgically extracted. During the anesthesia the patient is monitored by both the veterinarian and a registered veterinary technician. Please contact our team for any further questions, which we would be happy to answer.