Our Crossroads Veterinary Hospital veterinary team provides preventative and restorative dental care and surgery for cats and dogs in Gilbert.
Comprehensive Pet Dental Care
Routine veterinary dental care is key to maintaining cats' and dog's oral health and general well-being. However, many pets don't receive the dental care they need in order to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
At our Gilbert veterinary hospital, we aim to provide comprehensive dental care for your dog or cat, ranging from basics like cleanings and tooth polishing, to dental surgeries and x-rays.
We are passionate about dental health education and want to work with you to make sure your pet gets the dental hygiene care the need.
Pet Dental Surgery in Gilbert
We know that finding out your cat or dog needs dental surgery can be a stressful experience. But we are here to make sure this process is a stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.
We'll do everything we can to ensure your pet's experience with us is comfortable and easy. We'll break down each step of the process to you in detail before the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
You should aim to bring your dog or cat in for a dental exam at least once per year. Pets who are more prone to dental problems may need to see us more often that that, though.
Crossroads Veterinary Hospital can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
It is likely time for a dental checkup for your dog or cat if your notice any of the following symptoms:
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Discolored teeth
- Tartar buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Bad breath
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Assessment
We will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your pet before their dental exam and administering anesthesia.
We will take urine and blood samples to make sure it will be 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, we will conduct a complete, tooth by tooth, oral exam and charting.
- Treatment
Next, we will clean your pet's teeth and polish them (both above and below their gum line. We will also take x-rays. We will then apply fluoride to each tooth the strengthen the enamel.
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
Finally, we will schedule a complementary follow-up examination two weeks after our initial appointment.
At this appointment, we'll discuss how you can take care of your pet's oral health at home, including brushing their teeth and providing them with products to promote their dental health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our patients about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets can develop gum disease or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral hygiene just like people.
When our pets eat, plaque forms and sticks to their teeth. It can build up into tartar if not brushed regularly.
This can cause infections in their mouth, periodontal disease, loose or missing teeth and tooth decay. Because of this, regular dental care is key to preventing pain or discomfort for your pet.
- 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, or they may 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 issues can include swollen gums, bad breath and tooth discoloration. Some pets might even feel enough pain to keep them form eating. Read more about their symptoms to the left.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
Aside from causing problems from tooth decay to bad breath or periodontal disease, oral health issues can cause health problems in other parts of your pet's body. This can include their liver, heart, kidneys and more.
Cysts or tumors may develop. Your pet may also not feel well in 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 wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During your pet's regular schedule dental health exam, one of our vets will look into their mouth and check for oral health conditions or symptoms which may require treatment.
The vet will clean your pet's tartar and any other debris from their mouth. If they find gum disease or cavities, they will explain them to you and work to provide advice on what course of action should be taken.
In some cases, surgery will be needed to treat serious conditions. Your pet will be provided 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?
While at home, it is important that you brush your pet's teeth regularly and give them chew toys designed for dental health. 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
Dogs and cats don't know what is happening during veterinary dental procedures, so they will often react by biting or struggling. We provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to x-ray their mouth as needed.