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Veterinary Dental
Care for Dogs & Cats

Dr Nicola perfoming a dental scale & Polish

Honeydew Animal Clinic provides professional veterinary dental care for dogs and cats in Randpark Ridge, Randburg. Dental disease is extremely common in pets and can cause pain, infection, difficulty eating and progressive damage to the teeth and surrounding tissues.

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Our veterinary dental services include comprehensive oral examinations, professional scaling and polishing, dental X-rays, dental charting and extractions when required. Dental procedures are performed under general anaesthesia with appropriate monitoring, allowing our veterinary team to thoroughly examine and treat the entire mouth. Regular dental care is an important part of maintaining your pet’s comfort, oral health and overall well-being.

​​Signs of Dental Problems​​

  • Bad breath (halitosis)

  • Drooling or pawing at the mouth

  • Difficulty eating or decreased appetite

  • Loose, broken, or missing teeth

  • Weight loss or difficulty maintaining weight

  • Facial swelling

Common Dental Issues

  • Plaque & tartar buildup

  • Gingivitis and periodontal disease

  • Tooth resorption (cats)

  • Broken teeth from chewing hard objects

  • Oral masses or other abnormal growths

  • Malocclusion (misaligned teeth)

Preventive Care​

  •  Tooth Brushing: Use pet-safe toothpaste, ideally daily or several times a week.

  •  Dental Diets & Chews: Veterinary-approved dental products can help reduce plaque and tartar.

  •  Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Your pet’s teeth and gums should be assessed regularly as part of their routine veterinary examinations.

  •  Professional Dental Cleaning: Performed under anaesthesia for a complete clean, including scaling, polishing, X-rays, and extractions if needed.

What Happens During a Professional Dental Cleaning?

​A professional dental cleaning allows your pet’s mouth to be thoroughly examined, cleaned and treated where necessary.

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1. Pre-Anesthetic Evaluation​

  • Physical exam and medical history review

  • Blood tests to check organ function

  • Additional tests (e.g., chest X-rays) if needed

  • Purpose: Ensure your pet is healthy enough for anaesthesia and customise the anaesthetic plan

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2. Anaesthesia & Monitoring​

  • General anaesthesia allows a thorough examination and treatment while keeping your pet still and comfortable.

  • Vital signs (heart rate, oxygen, temperature, blood pressure) monitored throughout

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3. Comprehensive Oral Examination & X-Rays​

  • Veterinarian checks teeth, gums, and oral tissues for:

    • Loose or broken teeth

    • Gum recession or pockets

    • Tumours, cysts, or other abnormalities

  • X-rays reveal problems below the gum line that aren’t visible externally

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4. Scaling & Polishing​

  • Removal of plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces (supragingival and subgingival)

  • Polishing smooths microscopic scratches and helps slow future plaque buildup

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5. Charting & Documentation​

  • Each tooth is evaluated for gum depth, mobility, fractures, or missing teeth

  • Detailed record kept to track oral health over time

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6. Extractions & Advanced Treatments (if needed)​

  • Severely damaged, infected, or loose teeth may be removed

  • Advanced procedures available:​

    • Oral surgery may be required for selected dental or oral conditions.

  • Cats: Tooth resorption is common and can be painful. Affected teeth may require extraction depending on the extent of the disease.

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7. Recovery & Post-Care​

  • Pets recover in a warm, quiet area under close monitoring

  • Pain management provided if extractions or invasive procedures were performed

  • Post-care instructions may include:

    • Soft food for a few days if teeth were extracted

    • At-home dental care (tooth brushing, dental chews)

    • Follow-up veterinary visits​

Regular dental care helps maintain healthy teeth and gums, reduce oral discomfort and allow your pet to eat comfortably.

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