Veterinary Dental Care in North Surrey
Dental disease is one of the most common and most overlooked health concerns in pets, and it's often the source of pain that owners don't realise their dog or cat is carrying. By the time visible tartar appears, periodontal change has usually already started below the gumline. At our AAHA-accredited hospital in Fraser Heights, dental care includes a thorough oral exam, full-mouth dental X-rays under general anaesthesia, professional scaling and polishing, and extractions where needed. We provide a written estimate before any procedure. Call (604) 359-6464 to book a dental assessment.
Why Dental Care Matters for Dogs and Cats
Periodontal disease, the most common dental concern in dogs and cats, develops as plaque hardens into tartar at and below the gumline. Over time it leads to gingivitis, gum recession, bone loss, and tooth pain. Many pets continue to eat normally despite significant dental pain, which is why owners often don't see a problem until the disease is advanced. An annual dental check during a wellness exam catches change earlier.
The Oral Exam and Dental X-Ray
A complete dental evaluation begins with an awake oral exam to look at visible tartar, gum colour, and any obvious fractures or masses. The full picture, however, comes from full-mouth dental X-rays under general anaesthesia. Most periodontal change is below the gumline and invisible to the naked eye. Dental X-rays let us see root abscesses, bone loss, retained deciduous teeth in puppies and kittens, and tooth resorption in cats, all of which are common and easily missed without imaging.
Professional Cleaning: Scaling and Polishing
A professional dental cleaning involves ultrasonic and hand scaling to remove plaque and tartar from the visible crown and below the gumline, followed by polishing to smooth the enamel and slow the return of plaque. The procedure is done under general anaesthesia because cleaning the area below the gumline, where periodontal disease lives, is not possible in an awake pet. Anaesthetic monitoring follows the same protocol as any other surgical procedure.
Extractions and Oral Surgery
Sometimes teeth are no longer healthy enough to save, and the kindest option is removal. Causes include severe periodontal disease, fractured teeth, retained deciduous teeth, oral masses, and feline tooth resorption. Extractions are done under general anaesthesia with full pain management. Most dogs and cats eat soft food the same evening and are noticeably more comfortable within days. We send a written aftercare plan home with every dental surgical patient.
Home Dental Hygiene Between Visits
Daily home brushing remains the most effective way to slow plaque accumulation between professional cleanings. We can demonstrate technique during a wellness visit and recommend approved products that suit your dog or cat. Dental chews, water additives, and approved dental diets can also help as part of a broader plan, though they don't replace brushing or professional cleaning. The right combination depends on your pet and your household.
FAQ's
How often should my dog or cat get a dental cleaning?
Most dogs and cats benefit from an annual oral evaluation. Whether a professional cleaning is recommended that year depends on what we see on the exam and whether dental X-rays show change below the gumline. Some breeds need cleanings more often.
Why does my pet need anaesthesia for a cleaning?
Cleaning the area below the gumline, where most periodontal disease lives, is not possible in an awake dog or cat. Anaesthesia also lets us take full-mouth dental X-rays and address any extractions in one visit. Modern monitoring keeps the procedure safe.
Do you do dental X-rays at every cleaning?
Yes. Full-mouth dental X-rays are part of every dental cleaning at Ridgeview because most dental concerns hide below the gumline. We discuss findings with you before any extraction is performed.
My older cat is dropping food. Could it be dental?
It might be. Dropping food, chewing on one side, drooling, or sudden food refusal can all point to dental pain or feline tooth resorption. Book a same-day or next-day oral exam and we'll work up the cause together.
Will my pet be in pain after extractions?
Pain support is built into every dental procedure that involves extractions. Most dogs and cats are noticeably more comfortable within a few days because the chronic pain from a diseased tooth is finally gone. We send a written aftercare plan and recheck appointment home.
Book a dental assessment for your dog or cat at Ridgeview Animal Hospital in Fraser Heights. Call (604) 359-6464 or book online. We'll go through the oral exam findings and provide a written estimate before any procedure is scheduled.