Pet Dentistry
We provide veterinary dental care for healthy and happy smiles in our furry companions, keeping teeth and gums in top shape.
Expert Veterinary Care for Your Pet’s Oral Health
Regular dental care is essential to overall pet health and can help your pet live a longer, more comfortable life. At Companion Pet Hospital in Philadelphia, we take a comprehensive approach to veterinary dental care, including dental health assessments, treatments, and prevention.
Animals can develop various dental and oral conditions, especially as they age. For instance, most adult pets will eventually develop some degree of periodontal disease. If left untreated, a dental disease often progresses to more life-threatening infections that affect other organs, including your pet’s heart, liver, and kidneys.
Dental evaluations are included as part of your pet’s wellness exam with our veterinary team, and we will examine your pet for the common signs of dental disease and other problems, including:
- Tartar buildup
- Gum inflammation
- Loose, broken, or missing teeth
- Excessive drooling
- Deciduous (baby) teeth
- Extra teeth
- Malocclusion
- Oral growths and tumors
Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT)
Prior to anesthesia, a doctor will evaluate pre-surgical lab work and the patient’s health history, as well as do a pre-anesthetic physical exam. The COHAT is carried out while your pet is sedated and under general anesthesia. Our specialists will evaluate the overall health of the mouth with a comprehensive oral exam, probing of every tooth, and dental X-rays to detect concealed dental and/or bone problems below the gum line. We also look for concealed, traumatic, or malignant processes in the mouth. Our doctors will develop a post-procedural care plan for each patient, including pain management, food instructions, and any necessary recheck checks.
Dental Cleanings
Dental issues and dental-related diseases can easily be prevented by visiting our veterinarians regularly for dental examinations and cleanings. Dog and cat dental cleanings are very similar to human dental cleanings, except that we are required to use anesthesia to properly and safely examine and clean the teeth. During your pet’s dental cleaning, our veterinarians will inspect the lips, tongue, and entire mouth for growths, wounds, or other problems. Tartar will be removed from the teeth and under the gumline. We will also polish the teeth to smooth enamel scratches that may attract bacteria and remove fractured or infected teeth. After the cleaning, our veterinarians will perform a thorough oral exam and check for signs of disease like gum loss, root exposure, or pockets around the root.
Dental Radiography
Dental radiography allows our veterinary team to evaluate your pet’s teeth, roots, connective tissues, and bones. Thanks to this state-of-the-art technology, we can identify tooth decay, abscesses, tumors, bone loss, fractures, and other issues that may not be visible on examination alone – right here at our local Philadelphia pet hospital! Once we identify a dental issue, we can develop a treatment plan.
Pet Oral Health at Home
There are some easy steps you can take at home to help keep up a healthy pet oral health routine for your cat or dog:
- Inspect their gums, teeth, and tongue regularly for signs of infection. These inspections should begin early so your pet is more tolerant of them later in life.
- Brush your pet’s teeth on a daily or weekly schedule with toothpaste and toothbrushes specifically made for animals. Do Not use human toothpaste, as it can be toxic to pets.
- When introducing toothbrushing to your pet, take it slow and make it a positive experience for them.
- Feed your pet high-quality food. Some pets may benefit from “dental diets” that help scrub their teeth as they chew or from foods with additives that prevent plaque from hardening.
- Consider using a pet-safe water additive or dental rinse to help fight tartar buildup.
- Offer safe toys and treats for daily chewing.
- Schedule your pet’s appointment with Companion Pet Hospital in Philadelphia for regular oral exams and cleanings. We recommend an annual dental healthcare examination for all pets.