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Dentistry & Teeth Cleanings
Dental disease is one of the most common health problems we see in pets, and without treatment it can lead to chronic pain, infection, and even organ damage over time. Routine dental cleanings are not cosmetic — they are essential preventative care that protect your pet’s comfort and overall health.
Our fully equipped, state-of-the-art dental suite allows us to perform thorough dental scaling and polishing, extractions when necessary, and any additional treatment your pet may require — all performed safely and carefully to ensure the best outcome.
Why Does My Cat or Dog Need a Dental Cleaning?
Dental disease is extremely common in both dogs and cats. Conditions such as periodontal disease and gingivitis develop when plaque and tartar accumulate on the teeth and beneath the gumline.
If left untreated, this buildup leads to inflammation, infection, pain, tooth decay, and even tooth or bone loss. In more advanced cases, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and affect vital organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Professional veterinary dental cleanings are essential to prevent these conditions from progressing and to protect your pet from unnecessary pain and serious health complications.
While regular at-home brushing is strongly encouraged and helps reduce plaque buildup, it does not replace professional dental care. Even pets who receive consistent home care will still require periodic veterinary cleanings to remove tartar beneath the gumline and fully assess oral health.
What Does a Pet Dental Cleaning Involve?
Our dedicated, state-of-the-art dental suite is fully equipped to perform comprehensive dental procedures safely and effectively.
Your pet will be placed under general anesthesia to ensure they remain comfortable and still during the procedure. This allows us to thoroughly clean and examine every tooth without causing stress or discomfort.
A dental cleaning includes:
Polishing
After scaling, the teeth are polished to smooth the enamel surface. This step is crucial — polishing removes microscopic scratches that would otherwise encourage faster plaque buildup.
Full Oral Examination
The veterinarian carefully inspects each tooth for fractures, cavities, gum recession, or other abnormalities.
Dental Radiographs (X-rays)
Full-mouth dental X-rays are taken to identify hidden problems beneath the gumline, where the majority of dental disease occurs.
If extractions or surgical dental procedures are required, they are typically performed during the same anesthetic event to avoid additional procedures later.
What to Expect
Before the dental procedure, your pet will attend a pre-operative appointment. This includes a full physical examination and pre-anesthetic bloodwork to ensure they are fit for anesthesia.
The night before the procedure, food must be withheld from midnight onward. Water can still be offered. It’s important that all household members are aware of this to prevent accidental feeding.
On the day of the procedure, your pet will be admitted in the morning and remain with us until they are fully recovered from anesthesia. We provide updates throughout the day so you know how they’re doing. Most pets go home the same day unless complications arise.
Post-Dental Care
Recovery from dental cleaning is typically quick. Mild grogginess or temporary anxiety after anesthesia is normal.
Your pet can usually eat the same evening. If extractions were performed, soft food is recommended for several days. When significant dental work has been done, pain relief will be provided to keep your pet comfortable during recovery.