Dental Care
Healthy Smiles. Happier Lives.
Just like with people, your pet’s teeth can provide a clear picture of their overall health and alert us to potential problems developing inside.
By age 3, about 80% of dogs and 70% of cats already show signs of dental disease. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to pain, infection, and problems with the heart, kidneys, and liver.
By maintaining annual wellness visits (twice-yearly for senior and geriatric pets and pets with a history of illness), we can help prevent dental disease through at-home maintenance and yearly cleanings at our hospital.
Why should my pet have yearly or twice-yearly Wellness Exams?
Our pets age much faster than we do. A lot can happen in a year for a dog or a cat. When meeting with Dr. Morphis and her team for a wellness exam, we take a big-picture look at your pet companion. We examine your pet from nose to tail (inside and out) and investigate environmental factors that may affect your pet.
Part of the time we spend with you and your pet during your wellness exam includes examining their mouth, teeth, and gums. Our team uses a Dental Grading Chart to evaluate your dog’s or cat’s dental health.
From there, we will provide resources on how to help prevent dental disease at home using pet-safe products like toothbrushes, pet-safe toothpaste, and chews to help prevent plaque buildup. Our goal is always to catch issues early to reduce the need for invasive procedures and help your pet avoid unnecessary pain.
Signs Your Dog or Cat May Need a Dental Exam
Remember: Pets are instinctively good at hiding pain. Even if your dog or cat seems to be eating normally, dental disease can still be present. That’s why regular wellness exams and professional oral health screenings are so important.
Signs in Dogs
Dogs are often more likely to show obvious signs of dental discomfort. Watch for:
- Persistent bad breath
- Yellow or brown tartar buildup
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Difficulty chewing or dropping food
- Reluctance to chew toys or treats
- Pawing at the mouth or rubbing their face
- Excessive drooling
- Loose, broken, or discolored teeth
Signs in Cats
Cats are experts at hiding pain, so dental disease often goes unnoticed until it becomes advanced. Keep an eye out for:
- Bad breath
- Red or inflamed gums
- Drooling or blood-tinged saliva
- Difficulty eating or chewing on one side of the mouth
- Preferring soft food over dry kibble
- Dropping food while eating
- Decreased grooming or an unkempt coat
- Hiding more than usual or acting less social
- Weight loss or decreased appetite
Preventive Dental Care
Just like people, pets can benefit from yearly dental cleanings and exams. However, unlike dental cleanings for people, our pets have to undergo anesthesia for this procedure.
We know it can be scary to have your pet companion be put under anesthesia. Our team is there every step of the way to ensure your pet has a safe, comfortable dental procedure.
Pre-Anesthetic Blood Work
Your pet’s safety is always our top priority. Before placing your dog or cat under anesthesia for a dental cleaning or procedure, we perform pre-anesthetic blood work. This screening helps us evaluate organ function (like the liver and kidneys), check for hidden illness, and ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia safely.
Professional Cleaning and Polishing
Our team will carefully administer anesthesia while staying by your pet’s side the entire time. From start to finish, your pet will be comforted by the familiar faces they know and trust. When they wake up, those same faces will greet them.
A skilled team member will begin taking dental X-rays while your pet is under anesthesia to identify any possible problems that lie below the gumline, such as hidden disease, bone loss, or infection.
Did you know? Much of dental disease develops below the gumline, where it can’t be seen during an awake exam. Dental X-rays allow us to detect hidden infection, bone loss, and damaged tooth roots, so problems can be treated before they become even more painful.
Your pet’s teeth will then be professionally cleaned and polished. Dr. Morphis will then join the team to perform any extractions of damaged or diseased teeth to help your pet maintain comfort and overall wellness.
After the procedure is completed, our team will be with your pet as they come out of anesthesia, ready to comfort them until they are ready to head home. They will report their detailed findings to you, including care instructions and the next steps.
More importantly, your pet’s smile will be refreshed, and their dental health will be on track.
What Happens After My Pet Goes Home
Most pets recover surprisingly well after a dental procedure.
When your pet goes home, we’ll provide personalized instructions for:
- Pain medication (if needed)
- Feeding recommendations
- Activity restrictions
- Home dental care
- Follow-up appointments
Our team is always just a phone call away if questions come up during recovery.
Minor Oral Surgery
We also offer minor oral surgery services to correct specific oral issues. These services may include:
Oral Mass Removal and Biopsy
Repair of Oral Injuries
Tooth Extractions
Comfortable, Pain-Free, and Smiling
Our goal isn’t simply to clean your pet’s teeth. It’s to keep them comfortable, pain-free, and smiling through every stage of life. By combining preventive care, advanced dental procedures, and honest guidance, we’re here to help protect your pet’s health for years to come.
Book Your Pet's Dental Exam
Call us today at 252-753-2611 to schedule a dental evaluation for your dog or cat.