Pet Dental Care
A healthy heart and kidneys often start with a healthy mouth. Oral hygiene is a critical component of your pet's overall well-being, preventing chronic pain and systemic disease before they start.
- Comprehensive Dental Procedures for Dogs & Cats
- Professional Tooth Cleaning & Polishing
- Digital Dental Radiology (X-Rays)
- Advanced Oral Surgery (Tooth Extractions/Removal)
Dental Health: Your Questions Answered
Why is professional dental care so important for my pet?
Periodontal disease can cause chronic mouth pain and allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys. Regular dental care is one of the best ways to ensure a long, happy life for your furry companion.
Is anesthesia safe for my pet during a dental procedure?
We prioritize your pet's safety above all else. At Belsize Veterinary Clinic, we perform thorough pre-anesthetic blood work and a physical exam to identify potential safety concerns ahead of time. During the procedure we provide continuous, high-tech monitoring by a dedicated team. Our protocols are carefully tailored to your pet's health and age to ensure the safest possible experience.
How should I prepare my pet for their dental appointment?
Preparation is simple! We usually recommend fasting your pet from food starting the night before their visit. During your pre-dental consultation, we'll provide clear, step-by-step instructions so you can feel confident and reassured about exactly what to do.
What actually happens during a professional cleaning?
Think of it as a deep cleaning treatment for their mouth. We perform a comprehensive oral examination and digital dental X-rays to check beneath the gumline for signs of disease. Then our technicians scale away plaque and tartar before polishing the enamel to help prevent future buildup.
What can I expect when I bring my pet home after recovery?
Most pets return to their normal, happy selves by the next morning. They might be slightly sleepy on the first night, so we'll provide detailed aftercare instructions and pain relief if needed to ensure they stay cozy and comfortable during their transition back to regular life.
How often should my pet have a dental check-up?
We recommend a professional oral health assessment once a year. However, every pet is unique; depending on their breed or age, some may require more frequent cleanings. We'll customize a dental care schedule that's perfectly suited to your pet's specific health needs.
What if my pet needs to have teeth removed?
While our first goal is always to save every tooth, there are times when an extraction is the kindest and most effective way to restore your pet's comfort and health. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process with compassion and clinical excellence.
Understanding the Recommendation
Extraction (tooth removal) is typically recommended for teeth that are severely broken, infected, or loosened by advanced periodontal disease (bone loss). Removing these teeth eliminates a persistent source of oral pain. If there are alternatives available, we will discuss them together.
Comfort Protocols
Your pet's comfort is paramount. We use local nerve blocks (freezing)—similar to human dental care—to ensure they feel no pain during tooth removal. We also tailor a pain relief plan for your pet's hospital stay and to go home to ensure that your pet recovers quickly.
What to Expect Afterwards
Pets' mouths heal remarkably quickly! You can expect your pet to be a bit groggy the first night, followed by 7-14 days of soft food. We will provide detailed aftercare instructions including pain medication to keep them comfortable as they heal.
The Goal: A Pain-Free Life
The ultimate goal of dental extractions is to protect your pet's long-term health. Once a painful tooth is removed, most owners notice a wonderful change: their pet is more playful, has a better appetite, and is overall much happier.
How Do I Keep My Pet's Teeth Healthy at Home?
- Tooth brushing: This is the best way to prevent periodontal disease in pets. Brushing daily is best. Ask us to teach you how!
- Dental food: There are special diets that have been formulated to remove plaque and prevent tartar build up. Diets approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) work the best.
- Dental treats: Some dental treats have also been shown to reduce tartar and gingivitis. Please see the link below for VOHC approved products.
- Other supplements: There are also water and diet additives that can help your pet keep their teeth clean. Please see the link below for VOHC approved products.
- Avoiding hard chew toys: Hard chews can break your pet's teeth and cause pain. If you cannot bend the material easily, or your thumbnail doesn't leave a dent, it's probably too hard!
We can help tailor a prevention plan to your pet's specific needs.
What About Anesthesia Free (Cosmetic) Dentistry?
We don't recommend cosmetic teeth cleaning for the following reasons:
- Not properly addressing plaque and tartar below the gumline can lead to bone loss and pain. This cannot be done safely in an awake animal. However, the teeth may look clean on the surface, which gives a false sense of oral health.
- If a pet moves during the procedure, the cleaning tools can damage the gums, which can speed up the progression of infection and bone loss.
- There is no polishing after scaling, so plaque and tartar build up again more quickly.
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Dental x-rays are not taken, often missing problems with the tooth roots that can be causing significant pain.
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Teeth cannot be removed safely and completely in awake animals. Cosmetic dentistry does not reduce oral pain from diseased teeth.