Cat & Dog Dentist in Orange
It's important for the oral and overall health of cats and dogs that they receive routine dental care. However, most pets don't get the level of oral hygiene care they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
At Vet4HealthyPet, our Orange veterinary dentists offer comprehensive dental care for pets, from basics including dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, to more complex services such as dental X-rays and surgeries.
We also aim to provide all pet parents with dental health education to teach them about at-home dental care for their pets.
Specialized Pet Dental Surgery in Orange
We realize that it can be overwhelming to hear that your pet requires dental surgery. We aim to make this process as stress-free as we can, for you and for your cat or dog.
Our team will do all they can to make sure your pet's time with us is as easy and comfortable as possible. We'll explain each step of the process to you in detail prior to the procedure, including the requirements for preparation and post-operative care.
Some of the surgeries we offer for cats and dogs include jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment.
Professional Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Similar to your yearly checkup at the dentist, your dog or cat should see us for a dental examination at least once annually. Pets that are at a higher risk of developing dental problems than others might have to see us more regularly.
Vet4HealthyPet Animal Hospital is able to evaluate, diagnose and treat dental health conditions in both cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you see your pet displaying any of the symptoms below, call us to arrange a dental checkup.
- Bad breath
- Discolored teeth
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Assessment
A comprehensive pre-anesthetic physical evaluation will be conducted for your pet prior to their dental exam.
We'll take blood and urine analyses to make sure it is safe for your cat or dog to have anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, including chest radiographs or an ECG, might also be conducted.
When your pet is safely under anesthesia, our team will implement a full oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
Then, your pet's teeth are cleaned and polished (including under the gum line), and X-rays are taken. Then a fluoride treatment is applied to each tooth.
The last step is to administer a dental sealant to keep plaque from attaching to the enamel. If your vet discovers advanced periodontal disease they will develop a treatment plan and explain it to you.
- Prevention
We recommend scheduling a follow-up examination two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
At this appointment, we will discuss implementing at-home teeth brushing. We are also able to recommend products that could help improve your cat or dog's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Below we share the answers to the questions our patients most frequently ask about the pet dental care services our vets offer.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Cats and dogs are able to develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a result of poor oral health.
Like humans, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if it isn't brushed away regularly.
This could cause periodontal disease, infections in the mouth, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. This makes regular dental care essential for preventing pain or gum disease.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know behavior could be a sign of dental health issues? If your cat or dog is suffering from dental problems, they may drool excessively (the drool might contain pus or blood), or you may notice them pawing at their mouth or teeth. They could also grind their teeth, excessively yawn, or stop grooming sufficiently.
Other signs of oral health problems may include tooth discoloration, swollen gums, and bad breath. Sometimes, pets might even suffer from pain that keeps them from eating. Learn more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Other than causing problems ranging from bad breath and cavities to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues, and conditions could lead to disease in the heart, kidney, liver, and other areas throughout your cat or dog's body.
Cysts or tumors could arise. Your pet might also not feel well in general (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!). Furthermore, diseases related to oral health conditions can make your pet's lifespan shorter and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so essential for your pet's physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during my pet's teeth cleaning appointment?
At your pet’s routine oral exam, your vet will examine your cat or dog's mouth and check for oral health conditions or any symptoms that require treatment.
Your vet will clean tartar and other debris from your pet's teeth. If cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions have to be addressed, your vet will discuss these with you and provide you with advice on the actions you should take.
Sometimes surgery will be needed to treat serious conditions. Your pet will be provided with anesthesia before their dental procedure to make sure they are comfortable and don't feel any pain. Although, your kitty or pup will require special care after their surgery.
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a dental appointment with us.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
At home, you should brush your cat or dog's teeth on a routine basis and give them dental chew toys. These will help eliminate plaque.
Don't let them chew on things that could damage their teeth, such as bones, toys or objects that are too hard. Always contact your vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Dogs and cats can't understand what is happening to them during dental procedures and could react to them by biting or struggling.
Just like the anesthesia provided to nervous or anxious patients by dentists, our Orange vets provide all cats and dogs with anesthesia prior to performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and lets us X-ray their mouth as required.