​​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 (cats)

•  Facial swelling

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Common Dental Issues​

• Plaque & tartar buildup

• Gingivitis and periodontal disease

• Tooth resorption (cats)

• Broken teeth from chewing hard objects

• Oral masses or tumors

• Malocclusion (misaligned teeth)

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Preventive Care​

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

•  Dental Diets & Chews:  Approved products help reduce plaque and tartar.

•  Regular Vet Checkups: Include dental exams every 6–12 months.

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

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Step-by-Step: Professional Dental Cleaning (Dogs & Cats)

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A professional dental cleaning, ensures your pet’s mouth is thoroughly cleaned and dental disease is addressed.

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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 anesthesia and customize the anesthetic plan

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2. Anesthesia & Monitoring​

• General anesthesia keeps pets still and pain-free

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

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3. Comprehensive Oral Examination & X-Rays

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

  • Loose or broken teeth

  • Gum recession or pockets

  • Tumors, cysts, or other abnormalities

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

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4. Scaling & Polishing

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• 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 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 for tumors, cysts, or jaw repair

• Cats: Tooth resorption is common; affected teeth are usually extracted to prevent pain and infection

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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

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Maintaining regular dental care helps both dogs and cats enjoy healthy teeth and gums, eat comfortably, and live a happier, healthier life.