Dental Care

The Importance of Dental Health

Your pet’s dental health is essential for their overall well-being. Periodontal disease can contribute to seemingly unrelated health issues, behavioral problems, and cosmetic concerns like bad breath. Dogs and cats rely on their teeth for eating, defense, and play. A painful mouth can interfere with bonding and their normal, pain-free behavior. When left untreated, dental disease increases the risk of heart, liver, and kidney disease. Early stages of periodontal disease are reversible with professional care, but later states may require extrations or other costly, painful oral surgeries. Routine dental cleanings, combined with good dental care habits at home, are crucial for maintaining a healthy, pain-free mouth.

Our Professional Dental Procedures for Cats & Dogs

Our dental cleanings are performed by a highly trained team in a dedicated dentistry suite. Procedures are performed by a doctor with two surgical assistants. Our doctors and licensed staff have undergone advanced dental training and certification. With thousands of dental procedures completed, your pet will be in experienced hands.

Before a dental cleaning, the doctor performs a general examination to assess observable dental disease and identify any teeth that may need removal. Lab work is conducted to ensure the patient can safely undergo anesthesia.

All dental procedures are performed under general anesthesia for your pet’s safety and comfort. Since two-thirds of each tooth lies below the gum line, cleaning an awake pet’s teeth effectively is impossible. Full-mouth X-rays are taken on most patients to determine which teeth require immediate extraction or future monitoring.

Our dental cleaning process includes:

• Pre-surgical steps: General examination, catheter placement, IV fluid administration, and pre-anesthetic pain control medications.

• Anesthesia & monitoring: Your pet is placed under anesthesia with multiparameter vitals monitoring on a specialized heated surgical table.

• Dental X-rays: Evaluating dental health below the gum line.

• Ultrasonic scaling: Removing plaque and tartar from each tooth above and below the gum line.

• Polishing: Smoothing each tooth to reduce future tartar buildup.

• Extractions (if needed): Removing damaged, loose, or broken teeth due to severe periodontal disease.

• Post-extraction X-ray: Ensuring complete root removal.

• Charting: Complete dental charting to systematically record the condition of a patient's teeth and gums.

• Recovery & discharge: Monitored recovery in a heated and insulated enclosure, adminstration of additional pain control, continued IV fluid adminstration. End-of-day discharge back to pet parent.

At-Home Pet Dental Care

The best way to extend the time between professional dental cleanings is daily tooth brushing. We understand that brushing a pet's teeth can be challenging, so we also recommend additional dental care products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

Effective home dental care options include:

• Dental chews – Help reduce plaque and tartar buildup through chewing action.

• Water additives – Help maintain fresh breath and reduce bacterial growth in the mouth.

• Dental wipes – An alternative for pets that resist brushing.

• Prescription dental diets – Specially formulated to clean teeth while eating.

• Other dental care products – We can recommend additional options tailored to your pet’s needs.

​​​​​​​By incorporating these habits into your pet's routine, you can help maintain their dental health, improve their quality of life, and prevent serious health issues down the road.