Comprehensive Dog & Cat Dental Care
Ensuring routine oral and dental care for your pet is a crucial part of their overall health, but not all pets receive the necessary oral hygiene care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
At our Fountain Valley veterinary hospital, we can provide comprehensive pet dental care, from routine services such as dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, to dental X-rays and surgeries.
Our cat & dog dentists are also happy to provide veterinary dentistry advice and recommendations on how you can keep your pet's mouth clean and healthy at home.
Pet Dental Surgery in Fountain Valley
The recommendation of pet dental surgery can be stressful. We strive to have the experience be as easy as possible, for both you and your pet.
We want to ensure that you are well informed about the details of your pet's oral surgery. Before any procedure, we will explain why we are recommending surgery and all steps involved with the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
Our experienced veterinary dentists can provide a variety of surgical dental procedures, including tooth extractions, in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
Pet Dental Cleaning & Exams
Typically our vet dentists recommend that you bring your pet in for a full dental examination at least once a year. If you have a pet that is predisposed to dental issues then your vet may suggest having your pet visit more frequently.
Our vet team at Brookfield Pet Hospital Plus can examine, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
Here are some symptoms that your pet should be monitored for.
- 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
Your vet dentist will complete a thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment for your pet before the dental exam.
We will perform any necessary diagnostics to ensure the safety of your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet is safely under anesthesia, your vet will conduct a thorough cleaning and examination of your pet's teeth.
- Treatment
Then the teeth will be completely cleaned and polished, including below the gum line where bacteria love to hide, and X-rays will be taken then a fluoride treatment will be applied to each tooth.
Your veterinary dentist will then apply a dental sealant to your pet's teeth to prevent plaque and tartar from attaching to the enamel. If your vet notices any signs of periodontal disease during the examination they will recommend a treatment plan that is suitable to your pet and the severity of the symptoms.
- Prevention
Typically it will be recommended that your vet has a follow-up appointment with your pet a few weeks after the dental examination.
Your vet will use this visit to discuss the importance of at-home oral care for your pet and any added recommendations that they may have for your pet.
FAQs About Dog & Cat Dental Care
Here are some of the questions most commonly asked at our hospital.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets can develop signs and symptoms of periodontal disease.
Without regular tooth brushing food and bacteria will stick to your pet's teeth and could create oral health care issues.
Without proper preventive oral health care, this might lead to infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. This makes preventive dental care essential to preventing pain or disease in the gums of your pet.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Usually, your pet will exhibit behavioral changes that will be a clear indicator of oral health concerns. If you happen to notice that your pet is drooling excessively (in some cases the drool may even contain pus or blood), or they might be pawing at their mouth. Then they may be suffering from poor oral health.
Other possible signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration, as well as, yawning excessively or grinding their teeth. Some pets may even suffer from physical pain that keeps them from eating.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Without adequate treatment, poor oral health could lead to severe periodontal disease, as well as the possibility of severe issues leading to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Cysts and tumors can develop in more extreme cases as well as diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet and cause significant pain.
Routine oral health care is a crucial part of your pet's long-term health and wellbeing.
- What happens during an oral cleaning appointment?
While performing the cleaning your vet dentist will examine your pet's mouth and look for any oral health conditions or any symptoms needing treatment.
The veterinary dentist will clear any tartar or plaque from your pet's teeth and if cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions need to be addressed, your vet will discuss these findings with you as well as recommend a treatment plan.
In advanced cases, your vet may suggest surgery to treat serious conditions. Your pet will undergo anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and do not experience any pain. Anesthesia will require special care post-surgery.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
Brushing your pet's teeth daily is the foremost way you can help to keep their teeth clean at home.
Providing them with special dental toys and trees can also help to clear off any tartar or debris that may be present on their teeth. However, you mustn't allow them to chew on things that will damage their teeth Always contact your vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia
Animals do not understand what is going on during vet dental procedures, and dental procedures may cause your pet to panic.
Our Fountain Valley vet dentists provide anesthesia to all animals before performing any dental procedures. This allows us to examine their mouth as needed and provide any care without unnecessary stress to both ourselves and your pet.