Just like people need to go to the dentist, your pet also needs regular dental care. The veterinarians at East Orlando Animal Hospital provide preventive and restorative veterinary dental health care and surgery for cats and dogs in Orlando and the surrounding area.
Comprehensive Dental Care for Cats & Dogs
Clean teeth and healthy gums are essential to your pet’s health, but most of our pets don't get the oral hygiene care they need to prevent disease and decay.
At our Orlando veterinary hospital, we follow the ORAL ATP protocol (Oral Assessment, Treatment and Prevention) which is a cutting edge approach to oral healthcare for pets.
Our comprehensive approach to oral diseases that can impact your pet's mouth and overall health, means that a dental visit to our veterinary clinic is like taking your dog or cat to their very own dentist.
Our team is also passionate about educating pet parents on how to care for their animal's oral health at home.
Dental Surgery in Orlando
Our team understands that finding out that your pet needs dental surgery can be overwhelming. We strive to make this process as stress-free as possible, for you and for your pet.
We'll work to ensure your pet's experience with us is comfortable and easy. We'll break down each step of the process for you in detail before the procedure, including preparation and post-operative care requirements.
We offer jaw fracture repair surgeries, tooth extractions and treatment for periodontal disease for dogs and cats.
Pet Teeth Cleaning & Exams
You already know that visiting your dentist at least once a year is important for your oral health, bringing your dog or cat in to see the veterinarian for their dental care is equally important to their health.
Your pet should come in for a dental examination at least once a year. Pets who are more prone to dental issues than others may need to see us more often.
East Orlando Animal Hospital can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs.
- Symptoms of Oral Health Issues in Dogs & Cats
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's time for a dental checkup.
- Tartar & Plaque buildup
- Loose and/or broken teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Chronic 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
- Discolored teeth
- Assessment of Your Animal's Mouth
A thorough pre-anesthetic physical assessment will be completed for your pet before the dental exam.
We will take blood and urine analyses 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 is under anesthesia, we will conduct a complete oral examination (tooth by tooth) and charting.
- Treatment of Dental Health Problems in Pets
The teeth are then cleaned and polished (including under the gum line) and x-rays are taken. Next we apply a fluoride treatment to each tooth.
The final step is to apply a dental sealant to help prevent plaque from attaching to your pet's tooth enamel. If advanced periodontal disease (gum disease) is found, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you.
- Preventing Oral Health Issues in Animals
A complimentary follow-up examination will be scheduled two weeks after your pet's initial assessment and treatment appointment.
During the follow-up visit, we will discuss implementing teeth brushing at home. We can also recommend products that can help improve your pet's oral health.
FAQs About Pet Dental Care
If the idea of providing your cat or dog with regular dental care is new to you, you are bound to have questions.
From what happens during a dog or cat dental appointment to how to care for your pet's teeth at home you'll find the answers to our most frequently asked questions below.
- Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?
Our pets can develop periodontal disease (gum disease) or tooth decay as a consequence of poor oral health.
Just like in humans, when animals eat, plaque sticks to their teeth and can build up into tartar if not brushed away regularly.
This can lead to infections in the mouth, periodontal disease, tooth decay, damaged teeth and even loose or missing teeth. That's why regular dental care is essential to preventing pain or disease in your pet's mouth.
- How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?
Did you know behavior can be an indication of oral health problems? If your animal is experiencing dental issues, they may drool excessively (and the drool may contain pus or blood) or paw at their mouth or teeth. They may also notice that they yawn excessively, grind their teeth, or stop grooming properly.
Other signs of dental health problems include bad breath, swollen gums, and tooth discoloration. Some pets may even suffer from pain that prevents 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 problems ranging from tooth decay and bad breath to severe periodontal disease, oral health issues and conditions can lead to liver, kidney, or heart disease and other serious health problems throughout your pet's body.
Cysts or tumors can develop or your pet could just feel generally unwell (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 your pet's lifespan and cause significant pain.
This is why regular dental care is so essential to your pet's physical health and wellbeing.
- What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?
During your dog or cat’s regular oral exam, the veterinarian will examine your animal's mouth and look for oral health conditions or any symptoms needing treatment.
Next, the veterinarian will clean tartar and other debris from your pet'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 severe cases, surgery may be required to relieve pain and restore your pet's good oral health. Your pet will be provided anesthesia before their dental procedure to ensure they are comfortable and do not experience any pain. However, special care will be needed post-surgery.
- 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 build-up.
Do not allow your pet to chew on things that will damage their teeth, such as bones, toys or objects that are too hard. Contact your vet with any questions or concerns regarding your pet's oral health.
Veterinary Anestheia & Your Pet's Oral Health
Animals do not understand what is going on during dental procedures, and will often react to dental treatments by struggling or biting. Much like dental sedation used for nervous patients at a dentist's office, our veterinary professionals always provide anesthesia to our patients before performing dental procedures. This puts less stress on the pet and allows us to x-ray their mouth as needed.
