Veterinary Dentistry & Dental Surgery in Yucaipa
Comprehensive Dental Care for Dogs & Cats
Routine dental healthcare is a key component of your dog or cat's oral and overall health. However, most pets don't actually receive the oral hygiene care they need in order to keep their gums and teeth healthy.
At our Yucaipa 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 surgeries.
We also make a point of providing dental health education to pet owners about home dental care for their pets.
Veterinary Dental Surgery in Yucaipa
We know that discovering your pet requires dental surgery can be overwhelming. We work to ensure that this process is as stress-free as possible for both you and your companion.
We will do everything we can to make sure that your pet's experience with us is both comfortable and easy. We will break down each step of the process to you in detail before your procedure. This includes any care you will need to provide your pet before or after the operation.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment for dogs and cats.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Dental Exams
Just like your annual checkups with your own dentist, your cat or dog should come in for a dental examination at least once per year. Pets who are predisposed to oral health issues or dental problems should see your vet for often than that.
Oak Glen Animal Hospital can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- Tartar buildup
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Bad breath
- Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
- Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Assessment
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before the dental exam.
We will take urine and blood analyses to make sure it is safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia. Extra diagnostics may also be conducted like chest radiographs or ECG monitoring.
Once your pet is under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- 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.
The last step is the application of a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to your pet's enamel. If any advanced periodontal disease is detected, our vets will develop an appropriate treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Prevention
Ideally, a follow-up examination will be scheduled two weeks after the initial assessment and treatment appointment.
During this visit, we will speak with you about implementing teeth brushing while at home. We will also be able to recommend products that may help to improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our patients about pet dental care.
- 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 people, when our pet seat, plaques sticks to their teeth and can build up into hard tartar if it isn't cleaned away.
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.
- 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.
- What long-term problems can poor oral health potentially cause in my pet?
On top of causing long-term health issues ranging from cavities to bad breath and severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can also causes diseases in your pet's liver, heart, kidneys and other organs throughout their 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 wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet tooth cleaning appointment?
During your pet’s regular oral exam, our Yucaipa vet will examine his or her mouth and look for oral health conditions or any symptoms needing treatment.
The vet will clean tartar and other debris from your cat's or dog's teeth. If cavities, gingivitis, or other conditions need to be addressed, the vet will explain these to you and provide advice on which actions you should take.
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.
- 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 on a regular basis 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 Yucaipa vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Dentistry: Anesthesia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Cats and dogs do not understand what is going on during dental procedures, and will often react to dental procedures by struggling or biting.
Similar to the anesthesia provided to nervous or anxious patients by dentists, our Yucaipa vets provide anesthesia to all of our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the animals and allows us to x-ray their mouth as needed.