Cats and dogs need preventive and restorative pet dental care to preserve their oral and overall health. The vets at New England Veterinary Center & Cancer Care are here to help.
Dental Care for Pets
Routine pet dental care is essential to cats' and dogs' oral and overall health. However, most pets don't get the oral hygiene care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
At our Windsor animal hospital, you'll find complete dental care services for your pet, from basics such as dental exams, teeth cleaning and polishing, to dental x-rays and surgeries.
We are also passionate believers in providing dental health education to pet owners about home dental care for their pets.
Pet Dental Surgery in Windsor
Finding out that your pet needs dental surgery may feel overwhelming. We've developed our process to be as stress-free as possible, for both you and your pet.
We'll do everything in our power to ensure your pet's experience with us is comfortable and easy. We'll explain each step of the process to you in detail prior to the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
We offer gum disease treatment, tooth extractions and jaw fracture repair surgeries for dogs and cats.
Cat & Dog Teeth Cleaning & Exams
Similar to people, your dog or cat should see the vet for a dental examination at least once each year. Pets who are more susceptible to dental problems than others may need to see us more often.
New England Veterinary Center & Cancer Care can examine your pet's teeth, and diagnose and treat dental health issues in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- Tartar buildup
- Discolored teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- 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
- Assessment
We will complete a pre-anesthetic physical assessment for your pet prior to the dental exam.
Blood and urine analyses will be taken 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 has had anesthesia, a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting will be conducted.
- Treatment
Next, we will clean and polish the teeth (including under the gum line) and x-rays are taken. A fluoride treatment will be applied to each tooth.
Finally, a dental sealant will be applied to prevent plaque from attacking 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 booked two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
During this visit, we will discuss implementing teeth brushing at home. We may also recommend products that can help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our patients about pet dental care.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
As a result of poor oral health, our pets can develop tooth decay or periodontal disease.
Just like in people, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and build up into tartar if not brushed away on a regular basis.
This may lead to infections periodontal disease, tooth decay, infections in the mouth, or missing or loose teeth. That's why regular dental care is critical to preventing pain or disease in the gums.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Behavior can sometimes indicate dental problems in pets. If your pet is experiencing oral health issues, you may notice them pawing at their teeth or mouth. They may also drool excessively (and the drool may contain blood or pus). They may also grind their teeth, yawn excessively or stop grooming sufficiently.
Other signs of oral health issues include swollen gums, tooth discoloration and bad breath. Some pets may even experience 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 issues ranging from bad breath and cavities to severe periodontal disease, oral health conditions and issues can lead to disease in the heart, kidney, liver and other areas in your pet's body.
Tumors or cysts may develop. Your pet may also not feel well overall (if you've ever had a toothache, you understand how it can affect your mood!). In addition, diseases related to oral health conditions may shorten your pet's lifespan and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care for cats and dogs is so essential to our pets' physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During your pet's regular oral exam, the vet will check his or her mouth to look for oral health issues or conditions requiring treatment.
Tartar and other debris will be cleaned from your cat's or dog's teeth. If gingivitis, cavities or other conditions need to be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and provide advice on which actions to take.
In some cases, surgery will be required 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, you'll need to take special care post-surgery.
If you notice any of these symptoms appearing in your pet, book a dental appointment with us.
- What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?
Brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis and give them dental chew toys at home. The toys will help eliminate plaque.
Do not allow them to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as toys, objects or bones 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
Because cats and dogs do not understand what is going on during dental procedures, they will often react by biting or struggling.
Just as patients who are nervous may receive anesthesia from the dentist if they are anxious, our vets in Windsor provide anesthesia to all of our patients performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on animals and allows us to x-ray their mouth as required.