The qualified vets at Scottsdale Ranch Animal Hospital provide the highest standard of preventative and restorative dental care your pet needs to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Pet Dental Care
Your pet's teeth and gums are integral to their health, and so is routine dental care. But most pets don't receive the oral hygiene care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
At our animal hospital in Scottsdale, our veterinarians provide complete dental care for your dog or cat, from basics such as dental exams, teeth cleanings and polishing, to dental x-rays and surgeries.
We are passionate about both dental care and dental health education for pet owners. Ask us about how you can provide good at-home dental care to your furry companion.
Pet Dental Surgery in Scottsdale
Learning that your pet needs dental surgery can be an overwhelming experience. That's why we try to make the process as easy as possible, for you and for your furry best friend.
We'll do everything in our power to ensure your pet has a comfortable, stress-free experience with us. We'll explain each step of the process to you in detail prior to the procedure, including any preparation and post-operative care requirements.
We offer tooth extractions, gum disease treatment and jaw fracture repair surgeries for cats and dogs.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
At least once each year, your pet should come to see us for a dental examination. Cats and dogs who are more susceptible to dental issues than others may need to see us more frequently.
Our vets at Scottsdale Ranch Animal Hospital can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
It's time for a dental checkup if you notice any of these symptoms in your pet:
- Bad breath
- Discoloured teeth
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Tartar buildup
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Abnormal drooling, chewing, or dropping food from the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Assessment
Before the dental exam, your vet will perform a thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment. Blood and urine analyses will be done to ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. Other diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet has been given the anesthesia, we will perform a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
The next step is cleaning and polishing the teeth (including beneath the gum line) and taking x-rays. A fluoride treatment is then applied to each tooth.
Finally, the vet will apply a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is discovered, the veterinarian will create a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
Two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment, you and your pet will need to return so your vet can complete a complimentary follow-up exam.
At this visit, we will explain how to implement teeth brushing at home. Your vet may also recommend products to help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions our patients have about dental care for pets.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Poor oral health can lead to more than just bad breath for our pets; it can progress into tooth decay or periodontal disease.
Just like us, when animals eat, plaque gets stuck to their teeth and may build up into tartar if not brushed away regularly.
The result: infections in the mouth, tooth decay, loose or missing teeth or periodontal disease. This is why we are passionate about spreading awareness of how essential regular dental care is in preventing gum disease and pain.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Behavior may indicate an oral health problem. Your pet may drool excessively (and the drool may contain blood or pus), or you may notice them pawing at their teeth or mouth.
Other symptoms of oral health issues include swollen gums, discolored teeth and bad breath. Some pets may even suffer from pain that keeps them from eating regularly. Find out more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Not only can oral health issues cause problems such as bad breath and cavities, they can also lead to disease in the heart, liver, kidney and other areas in your pet's body.
Tumors or cysts may also develop. Your pet may also not feel well overall (if you've ever experienced a painful cavity or toothache, you know how it can impact your mood). Diseases related to oral health conditions can also cause significant pain and take years off your pet's life.
This is why we steadfastly educate pet owners about why regular dental care is so vital to their pet's physical health and well-being.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
As your veterinarian examines your pet, he or she will take note of any oral health conditions or any symptoms that require treatment.
Tartar and other debris will then be cleaned from your dog's or cat's teeth. If gingivitis, cavities or other conditions should be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and provide guidance on which actions to take.
In some cases, serious conditions will require surgical treatment. Your pet will be given anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and do not experience any pain. However, you will need to provide special care post-surgery.
If you see any of the symptoms above, book a dental appointment with us.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
Brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis at home and provide safe dental chew toys to help eliminate plaque.
Do not allow your pet to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as objects that are too hard and inflexible, objects, toys or bones. Always contact your vet with any questions or concerns you may have about your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Since cats and dogs cannot comprehend what is going on during dental procedures, they will often react to these procedures by biting or struggling. That's why we provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on pets and allows us to perform x-rays and other procedures as required.