Most of us know how painful a toothache feels, and it’s no different for pets. Sometimes they show symptoms of oral discomfort, such as dropping food, chewing tentatively, or salivating excessively. But in many cases, symptoms are subtle or not noticeable at all.

Animals don’t always show us when they are uncomfortable, and they often eat despite oral pain. It is important to have your pet’s teeth examined often to identify problems early. A simple look in the mouth doesn’t tell the whole story, so comprehensive dental procedures are recommended on a regular basis.

During your pet’s procedure, anesthesia is required to fully evaluate the mouth and treat any disease. Anesthesia allows for every tooth to be carefully examined and x-rayed. Dental x-rays are always necessary because many abnormalities are under the gumline and cannot be visualized.

We will evaluate each tooth for periodontal disease, which is inflammation in a tooth’s supporting structures that results in gingivitis and bone loss. Some pets can have fractured teeth, orthodontic abnormalities, or lesions in the oral cavity. Cats are prone to painful resorptive lesions of their teeth and severe inflammatory disease of their gums and will be fully evaluated for these conditions.