Dental Care
Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be examined at least once a year by your veterinarian to check for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
Veterinary dentistry includes the cleaning, adjustment, filing, extraction, or repair of your pets’ teeth and all other aspects of oral health care. The process begins with an oral exam of your pet’s mouth. Because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, where you can’t see it, a thorough dental cleaning and evaluation are performed under anesthesia. Dental cleaning includes scaling (to remove dental plaque and tartar) and polishing, similar to the process used on your own teeth during your regular dental cleanings.
Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:
- bad breath
- broken or loose teeth
- extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
- abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- pain in or around the mouth
- bleeding from the mouth
- swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems, and any changes in your pet’s behavior should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. Always be careful when evaluating your pet’s mouth, because a painful animal may bite.
Some of the routine dental services we offer are:
- Teeth scaling to remove tartar build up
- Dental radiology – to detect otherwise evasive abnormalities of teeth and jaws
- Dental cleaning
- Dental extractions
*All animals undergoing general anesthesia or sedation must be fasted before their scheduled procedure. No food should be provided after 8pm and water should be withheld after midnight on the evening before the procedure.
**All animals scheduled for surgery should arrive at GVH between 7:30-8:30am that day unless other arrangements are made in advance.
Please make an appointment for your pet’s dental cleaning by calling
434 977 4600.