Signs of Dental Disease in Pets
Many pets hide discomfort, so it’s important to look for these warning signs of dental problems:
- Bad breath (not just “doggy breath,” but a foul odor)
- Yellow or brown tartar buildup on teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Drooling more than usual
- Pawing at the mouth or rubbing their face
- Difficulty eating, chewing on one side, or dropping food
- Loose or missing teeth
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an oral evaluation as soon as possible. The earlier we catch dental disease, the better we can prevent complications like tooth-root abscesses, tooth fractures, or systemic infection.
What Happens During a Professional Dog & Cat Teeth Cleaning?
A professional dental cleaning, or COHAT (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment), is the best way to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Here’s what to expect:
Pre-Anesthetic Exam & Bloodwork
General anesthesia is a must for pets undergoing dental procedures because they won’t simply open up and say, “Ahh!”. To ensure your pet is healthy, we conduct a pre-anesthetic physical exam and bloodwork, then tailor an anesthetic protocol to their specific health and dental care needs.
Full-Mouth Digital X-Rays
Up to 60% of the tooth structure remains hidden below the gumline, making it easy to miss retained root fragments, abscesses, and jawbone issues. By taking full-mouth digital x-rays, we can identify these painful problems and provide appropriate treatment to guarantee your pet’s comfort and health.
Scaling & Polishing
Using specialized hand instruments and ultrasonic tools, we remove every last trace of plaque and tartar from those hard-to-reach areas above and below the gumline. Then, we polish the enamel smooth to minimize future plaque accumulation.
Tooth Extractions (If Needed)
If a tooth is damaged or infected beyond repair, we use multimodal pain management and careful extraction techniques to safely remove it, relieving pain and preventing further issues.