Dental Care

Did you know that by the age of three, most dogs and cats have some degree of dental disease? The early signs of dental disease in pets include bad breath, yellow tartar buildup on the teeth, and red and swollen gums. At your pet’s dental cleaning appointment you can expect them to have the same routine that you do when you visit your dentist’s office for your cleaning!

Pre-Anesthetic Exam and Treatment Protocol

Our veterinarians will perform a thorough pre-anesthetic exam, review their most recent blood work results, and create a dedicated anesthetic plan for him/her. During the dental procedure your pet will receive full mouth dental radiographs, scaling and polishing, and a fluoride application. If your pet needs any oral surgery, we will make recommendations for extractions based on the radiographs and advise you of any further treatment that may be needed.

Proper Treatment

When dental disease is discovered later, after years of tartar, plaque, and bacteria buildup have caused infection, inflammation, and diseased teeth, your pet has already experienced significant, chronic, life-changing pain. But animals are experts at hiding signs of pain, so the pain may go unnoticed by you. Instead, you may see that your pet is increasingly irritable and lethargic or has a decreased appetite—changes you may attribute to your pet’s advancing age or other lifestyle factors. But after a proper and thorough dental procedure, many pet owners report the emergence of “a whole new pet”—one who is happier and more active.

Dentistry FAQs

During your pet’s dental procedure, veterinarians and technicians use sharp, sterilized instruments. Animals don’t like to hold still while X-rays are taken and these sharp instruments are used to clean their teeth. Placing your pet under anesthesia during the procedure allows your veterinarian to make a more accurate diagnosis and decrease the chance of complications. Your pet will rest comfortably while the veterinary team safely performs a thorough and proper dental cleaning. Before anesthesia, your pet will be carefully screened with bloodwork and other tests to ensure she is free from underlying disease. During the dental procedure, a trained professional will be dedicated to continuously monitoring, recording vital signs, and communicating the findings to the veterinarian.

Dental X-rays allow the veterinary team to see what is going on below the gum line, such as issues with tooth structures, tooth roots, ligaments, and bones (i.e., the jaw). Anesthesia is also required to capture precise and accurate radiographs due to the difficulty of the image angles.

Extractions involve removal of the teeth and are recommended for a number of reasons, including: misalignment, which can cause malocclusion (issues closing the mouth);  extra teeth (i.e., retained baby teeth), which cause overcrowding and excessive tartar and plaque buildup; disease, such as stomatitis or tooth resorption in cats, which causes painful ulcers and abscesses; and  fractured, damaged, or decaying teeth that are infected, painful, and cannot be repaired. In severe cases, mouth bacteria from infections can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Daily tooth brushing is the absolute best thing that you can do for your pet to prevent tartar and plaque build up. This is only beneficial to do when your pet does not have any dental disease present. We recommend that you start this routine with any new puppy or kitten or after they have had their dental cleaning. If your pet is hesitant to have their mouth touched, try using a finger brush. They are typically made from rubber or silicone and have soft bristles on one side and will help them get used to the sensation of something brushing against their teeth. They’re easy to use and inexpensive, so you can stock up on a few different kinds and see which one your pet likes best. If your pet does not tolerate the finger brush well, you can try Gauze or a Pet Toothbrush. Simply wrap a small piece of gauze around your index finger and gently wipe it across their teeth in circular motions. The gauze will help remove plaque and tartar while being gentle on your pet’s gums. Once your pet is comfortable with you touching their teeth and gums, you can graduate to using a pet toothbrush or the finger brush. When brushing your pet’s teeth, it’s important to go slowly and be patient. Make sure to take your time and brush in circular motions using gentle strokes.

Associate the Experience With Something Positive If you’re having a hard time getting your pet to open their mouth and let you brush, try associating brushing with something enjoyable. For example, give them a treat, play with one of their favorite toys, or praise them right after the process is complete. If they know they’re pleasing you by allowing you to brush their teeth, they’re likely to be less resistant in the future.

Always use products that are made specifically for dogs and cats. Never use any human oral health products on your pet, many of them have very toxic ingredients to our pets. When you are shopping for canine or feline oral health care products look for the silver seal from the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Products that are awarded the VOHC seal of acceptance have been thoroughly tested to prove their effectiveness in reducing plaque and/or calculus accumulation.

Visit the VOHC website for a list of approved products!

Dentistry FAQs

During your pet’s dental procedure, veterinarians and technicians use sharp, sterilized instruments. Animals don’t like to hold still while X-rays are taken and these sharp instruments are used to clean their teeth. Placing your pet under anesthesia during the procedure allows your veterinarian to make a more accurate diagnosis and decrease the chance of complications. Your pet will rest comfortably while the veterinary team safely performs a thorough and proper dental cleaning. Before anesthesia, your pet will be carefully screened with bloodwork and other tests to ensure she is free from underlying disease. During the dental procedure, a trained professional will be dedicated to continuously monitoring, recording vital signs, and communicating the findings to the veterinarian.

Dental X-rays allow the veterinary team to see what is going on below the gum line, such as issues with tooth structures, tooth roots, ligaments, and bones (i.e., the jaw). Anesthesia is also required to capture precise and accurate radiographs due to the difficulty of the image angles.

Extractions involve removal of the teeth and are recommended for a number of reasons, including: misalignment, which can cause malocclusion (issues closing the mouth);  extra teeth (i.e., retained baby teeth), which cause overcrowding and excessive tartar and plaque buildup; disease, such as stomatitis or tooth resorption in cats, which causes painful ulcers and abscesses; and  fractured, damaged, or decaying teeth that are infected, painful, and cannot be repaired. In severe cases, mouth bacteria from infections can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Daily tooth brushing is the absolute best thing that you can do for your pet to prevent tartar and plaque build up. This is only beneficial to do when your pet does not have any dental disease present. We recommend that you start this routine with any new puppy or kitten or after they have had their dental cleaning. If your pet is hesitant to have their mouth touched, try using a finger brush. They are typically made from rubber or silicone and have soft bristles on one side and will help them get used to the sensation of something brushing against their teeth. They’re easy to use and inexpensive, so you can stock up on a few different kinds and see which one your pet likes best. If your pet does not tolerate the finger brush well, you can try Gauze or a Pet Toothbrush. Simply wrap a small piece of gauze around your index finger and gently wipe it across their teeth in circular motions. The gauze will help remove plaque and tartar while being gentle on your pet’s gums. Once your pet is comfortable with you touching their teeth and gums, you can graduate to using a pet toothbrush or the finger brush. When brushing your pet’s teeth, it’s important to go slowly and be patient. Make sure to take your time and brush in circular motions using gentle strokes.

Associate the Experience With Something Positive If you’re having a hard time getting your pet to open their mouth and let you brush, try associating brushing with something enjoyable. For example, give them a treat, play with one of their favorite toys, or praise them right after the process is complete. If they know they’re pleasing you by allowing you to brush their teeth, they’re likely to be less resistant in the future.

Always use products that are made specifically for dogs and cats. Never use any human oral health products on your pet, many of them have very toxic ingredients to our pets. When you are shopping for canine or feline oral health care products look for the silver seal from the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Products that are awarded the VOHC seal of acceptance have been thoroughly tested to prove their effectiveness in reducing plaque and/or calculus accumulation.

Visit the VOHC website for a list of approved products!