Dental disease is one of the most common conditions affecting dogs and cats, and one of the most preventable. Pet dental care at Homer Animal Hospital in Vancouver covers professional cleanings, dental X-rays, scaling, polishing, and tooth extractions. We assess your pet's oral health at every wellness exam and are happy to walk you through what we find and what you can do at home to keep their teeth and gums healthy between visits.
A professional dental cleaning goes far beyond what home brushing can accomplish. Under general anesthesia, our team removes plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gumline, evaluates each tooth and the surrounding tissue, and charts any abnormalities. We use ultrasonic scaling equipment followed by polishing to leave tooth surfaces clean and smooth, which helps slow future buildup. Most pets benefit from an annual professional cleaning, though frequency depends on breed, age, and home care routine.
Dental radiographs allow us to see what is happening below the gumline, where the majority of dental disease occurs. Many painful conditions, including tooth root abscesses, bone loss, and retained roots after extraction, are invisible to the naked eye. We use dental X-rays as a standard part of every cleaning to ensure we have a complete picture of your pet's oral health and can make fully informed decisions about what needs to be done.
When a tooth is too damaged, infected, or painful to save, extraction is the most compassionate option. We perform extractions under general anesthesia with appropriate pain management before, during, and after the procedure. Most pets recover well and eat comfortably within a few days of an extraction. Retained baby teeth, which can crowd adult teeth and cause gum problems, are often extracted during spay or neuter surgery in young pets.
Scaling removes calculus deposits from tooth surfaces, while polishing smooths the enamel to reduce the rate at which plaque accumulates. Both steps are performed during every professional cleaning at Homer Animal Hospital. We assess the degree of scaling needed and the condition of each tooth before beginning, so the procedure is tailored to your pet's specific situation.
A dental prophylactic is a preventive cleaning performed before significant disease develops, making it easier and less costly to manage long-term. We perform a complete oral health assessment at the start of every dental appointment, evaluating gum health, periodontal pocketing, tooth mobility, and the soft tissues of the mouth. Any concerning findings are discussed with you before proceeding, and we explain all options clearly.
Book your pet's dental exam or professional cleaning at Homer Animal Hospital in Vancouver. Call (604) 416-4114 or book online. We are open Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
