Veterinary Dentistry & Dental Surgery

If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.

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

A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before the dental exam. 

We will take blood and urine tests to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted. 

Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will perform a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting. 

Next, we clean and polish the teeth (including under the gum line) and take X-Rays. We then apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth.

The final step is to apply a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If we find advanced periodontal disease, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.

Schedule a follow-up examination two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.

During this visit, we will discuss implementing at home teeth brushing. We can also recommend products to help improve your pet's oral health.

Pets can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a result of poor oral health.

As it is with humans, plaque sticks to animals teeth when they eat. The plaque can build up into tartar if not brushed away regularly.

This can lead to mouth infections, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. That's why regular dental care is essential in preventing pain or disease in the gums.

Did you know behavior can be a sign of oral health problems? If you notice your pet excessively drooling (drool may contain pus or blood), or pawing at their mouth or teeth, it can be sign of oral health problems. Your pet may also frequently yawn , grind their teeth, or stop grooming sufficiently.

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. For more information about oral health symptoms read to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.

A side from conditions such as cavities, bad breath and severe periodontal disease oral health issues can lead to a variety of diseases. These diseases can be in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.

Cysts or tumors can develop. Your pet may also not feel well in general (if you've had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!). Diseases related to oral health conditions can cause your pet pain and shorten their lifespan.

That is why regular dental care is so essential to your pets' physical health and wellbeing.

During your pet’s regular oral exam, the vet will examine their mouth and look for oral health conditions and any symptoms needing treatment.

The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your cat's or dog's teeth. If your pet has cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions, the vet will explain these to you and give advice on the actions you should take.

In some cases, if your cat or dog has a serious condition they will need surgery. Your pet will get anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and do not experience any pain. Yet, they will need special care post-surgery.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet schedule a dental appointment with us.

At home regularly brush your pet's teeth and give them dental chew toys. These will help eliminate plaque. 

Do not allow your cat or dog to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as bones, toys or other objects that are too hard. Always contact your vet with any questions or concerns you have about your pet's oral health.