Comprehensive Dental Care for Cats & Dogs in Southborough
Routine dental care is a critical component of cats' and dogs' oral and overall health, but most pets don't get the oral hygiene care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
At our Southborough Veterinary Hospital, we provide complete dental care for your pet, from basics such as dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, to dental x-rays and tooth extraction.
While a visual oral exam can often be performed while your pet is awake, for all professional dental cleanings, your pet will be placed under general anesthesia to ensure a safe and thorough procedure.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Much like your annual checkup at the dentist, your dog or cat should come in for a dental examination at least once a year. Pets who are more prone to dental problems than others may need to see us more often.
Southborough Veterinary Hospital can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
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Assessment
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before the dental exam.
We will take blood 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.
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Prevention
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.
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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
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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.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our clients about pet dental care.
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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.
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What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During routine exams, the vet will assess your pet’s teeth and gums for signs of disease. While in some cases this evaluation may be performed without anesthesia, a complete dental cleaning and treatment require that pets be administered general anesthesia to ensure accuracy, safety, and comfort.
As part of a professional cleaning, your veterinarian will remove tartar and debris from your cat’s or dog’s teeth and examine the mouth more thoroughly. If issues such as cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions are identified, we will discuss our findings with you and recommend the most appropriate next steps.
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.
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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.
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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 regularly 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.
- 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
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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.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Your pet’s safety is our top priority. We perform pre-anesthetic assessments and continuously monitor your pet throughout the procedure using advanced equipment and trained veterinary staff.
Similar to the anesthesia provided to anxious patients by dentists, our Metrowest vets provide anesthesia to all our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animal and allows us to x-ray their mouth as needed.