Dental Care

Over 80 percent of dogs and cats have periodontal disease, resulting in inflammation of the gums and the bone that holds the teeth in place. Dental disease causes pain and difficulty eating; however, it can also lead to damage of major organs, including the kidneys and liver.

For most pets, we recommend regular dental cleanings every 12 to 18 months. Taking a preventive approach can often save your pet from unnecessary pain and disease. For more information, please read our dental handouts or schedule your pet for a dental evaluation with one of our animal dentists here in Portland Oregon.

Dental Cleaning

Since a complete dental cleaning and examination in cats and dogs require anesthesia, we usually perform a pre-anesthesia examination and blood work to evaluate any possible underlying risks. On the day of dentistry, your pet will first be re-examined by a doctor prior to anesthesia. A trained veterinary technician will then clean the teeth using an ultrasonic dental scaler to remove tartar on tooth surfaces; hand scaling will be performed to remove tartar below the gum line. A thorough dental exam is carried out once the teeth are cleaned, and the doctor will determine whether further treatment or extractions are necessary. Finally, the teeth are polished, an important step in slowing the rate of future tartar buildup.

Safety

The safety and comfort of your pet are our number one priorities. Our Life Window® anesthesia monitor is state-of-the-art and allows us to record your pet’s vital signs during the procedure. We use digital X-rays to detect cavities, tooth abscesses, or other problems. During anesthesia, your pet is placed on a heated water blanket to maintain body temperature and will wake up in one of our heated recovery cages.

Home Care Products

In addition to our services, we are proud to offer several products that may be used at home to slow or prevent dental disease between dental procedures:

• Hill’s T/D and Royal Canin DD Dental Diets
• Greenies and Enzadent Oral Care Chews
• C.E.T. and Enzadent flavored toothpaste and toothbrushes

Pet Dental Services Near You

Please contact us if you would like to schedule your pet for a dental cleaning or would like more information on any of our services or products!