Complete Dental Care for Cats & Dogs
Although routine dental care is an essential component of cats' and dogs' oral and overall health, most pets don't get the oral hygiene care they need.
At our Grants Pass veterinary hospital, we provide complete dental care for your pet, from basics such as dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, to dental X-Rays and oral surgeries.
We also make a point of empowering pet owners with education about home dental care for their pets.
Pet Dental Surgery in Grants Pass
We understand that learning that dental surgery is necessary for your pet can seem overwhelming. Our goal is to make this process as stress-free as possible, for you and your pet.
We'll do our best to ensure your pet's experience with us is as comfortable and easy as possible. We'll carefully explain each step of the process to you in detail before the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Much like your own annual dental checkup, your dog or cat should be seen for a dental examination at least once a year. Pets who are more prone to dental problems than others may need to see us more often.
Lincoln Road Veterinary Clinic vets have the expertise to assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Discolored teeth
- Assessment
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be conducted on your pet before the dental exam.
We will carry out blood and urine analyses to ensure your pet's fitness to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be performed.
Once your pet is comfortably under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
Next, the teeth are cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and x-rays are taken. We then apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth.
The final step is to apply a dental sealant to stop plaque from attaching to the enamel. If the veterinarian identifies signs of advanced periodontal disease, they will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
Ideally, a follow-up examination should be scheduled two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
During this visit, we will discuss implementing teeth brushing into your pet care routine at home. We can also recommend products that can help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Veterinary Dentistry
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our clients about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral health.
Just like for humans, plaque sticks to an animal's teeth when they eat, and this can quickly harden into tartar if not removed regularly.
Tartar buildup and other poor oral health practices can lead to infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. That's why regular dental care is essential to preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know your pet's behavior could indicate the presence of oral health problems? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, they drool excessively (and the drool may contain pus or blood), or you may notice them pawing at their mouth or teeth. They may also yawn excessively, grind their teeth, or stop grooming as well as they usually would.
Other signs of oral health problems in your pet could include unpleasant breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may even suffer from pain that keeps them from eating. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Aside from causing problems ranging from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to more serious consequences, such as disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Your pet might feel generally unwell (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!) Additionally, diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so crucial to animals' physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet tooth cleaning appointment?
During your pet’s regular oral exam, the vet will examine their mouth and look for oral health conditions or any symptoms requiring treatment.
The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your pet's teeth. If the vet finds that there are cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions that need to be addressed, they will explain these to you and provide advice on which actions you should take.
Some cases could require surgery to treat serious conditions. Your pet will undergo anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and free of pain. However, special care will be needed post-surgery.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
At home, brush your pet's teeth regularly and give them dental chew toys to help eliminate plaque.
Don't let them chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as bones, toys, or objects that are too hard. Never hesitate to contact your vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Your pets cannot comprehend what is going on during dental procedures, and will often react by struggling or biting.
Similar to the anesthesia provided to anxious human patients by their dentists, our Grants Pass vets provide anesthesia to all of our animal patients before they undergo dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to safely X-Ray their mouth as needed.
