Veterinary Dentistry & Dental Surgery
Veterinary Dentistry
Most pets don't get the oral hygiene care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Dogs and cats need routine care for their mouths just as much as people do. When you join the Riverside Animal Hospital family, our vets will educate and empower you to properly care for your companion's chompers.
At our Riverside veterinary hospital, we provide complete veterinary dentistry care for your pet. Annual cleanings and polishing are available to all our clients, and in the event of oral health complications, diagnostic X-Rays and dental surgery can be performed onsite.
Dental Surgery in Riverside
It's never a completely stress-free experience to learn your pet requires dental surgery. The compassionate team at Riverside Animal Hospital makes this time as easy as possible.
We'll do everything we can to ensure your pet's experience with us is comfortable and as unintrusive as possible. Before any procedure, we will provide full, detailed explanations to our clients about what needs to be done, any associated risks, and why it's the best option for your dog or cat.
We offer tooth extractions and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Teeth Cleaning & Exams for dogs and cats
Your dog or cat should come in for a dental examination at least once a year. As with people, pets who are more prone to dental problems than others may need to see us more often.
Riverside Animal Hospital Veterinary Dentistry can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- 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
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before the dental exam.
We will take blood and urine analyses to ensure it's safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs or an ECG may also be conducted.
Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment
Next, the teeth are cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and X-Rays are taken. We then apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth.
The final step is to apply a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is found, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
Ideally, a follow-up examination will be scheduled two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
During this visit, we will discuss implementing teeth brushing at home. We can also recommend products that can help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Veterinary Dentistry
We get a lot of questions about dental care in dogs and cats. Here are some of the most frequent answers we provide pet owners.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral health.
Just like in humans, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not brushed away regularly.
This can lead to infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and even loose or missing teeth. That's why regular dental care is essential to preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know behavior may be an indication of oral health problems? If your pet is experiencing dental problems, they drool excessively (and the drool may contain pus or blood), or you may notice them pawing at their mouth or teeth. They may also yawn excessively, grind their teeth, or stop grooming sufficiently.
Other signs of oral health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may even suffer from pain that keeps them from eating. Read more about symptoms to the left under Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Besides causing problems ranging from cavities and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to disease in the liver, kidney, heart, and other areas throughout your pet's body.
Cysts or tumors may develop. Your pet may also not feel well in general (if you've ever had a toothache, you know how it can affect your mood!). In addition, diseases related to oral health conditions can shorten the lifespan of your pet and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and well-being.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During your pet’s regular oral exam, the vet will examine his or her mouth and look for oral health conditions or any symptoms needing treatment.
The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your cat's or dog's teeth. If cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions need to be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and provide advice on which actions you should take.
In some cases, surgery will be needed to treat serious conditions. Your pet will be provided with anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and do not experience any pain. However, special care will be needed post-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 pet's teeth on a regular basis and give them dental chew toys. These will help eliminate plaque.
Do not allow them to chew on things that will 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
A dental procedure can be confusing for your dog or cat. We use anesthetics to calm them and give them a better experience.
Human dentists often provide overly nervous patients with anesthetic to make the procedure less traumatic for them. Our Riverside vets provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures for much the same reason. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to give them the treatment they need without the danger of scratching or biting from the distressed animal.