Pet Dental Care in Danville, CA
Taking care of your pet’s teeth is critical to their overall quality of life, and Tassajara Veterinary Clinic offers a full range of dental services to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
Without proper dental care, many pets develop gum and tooth infections. Left untreated, some pets eventually lose teeth, and infection can spread to other parts of the body. Regular dental care is one of the most overlooked aspects of pet wellness, which is why we make it a core part of every wellness exam.
Benefits of Pet Dental Care
- Eliminates bad breath — poor dental hygiene is a common cause of bad breath, and cleaning your pet’s teeth helps resolve it.
- Prevents pain — tooth and gum infections can be genuinely painful, and treating them improves your pet’s quality of life.
- Supports overall health — pets with poor dental hygiene may struggle to eat, leading to weight loss and declining health over time.
Signs of Dental Disease
If your pet shows any of the following symptoms, schedule a veterinary visit right away: bleeding gums, red or inflamed gums, cracked, missing, or broken teeth, dark brown or black spots on teeth or gums, refusal to eat or difficulty eating, very bad breath, or vomiting.
Dental Services We Provide
- Dental examinations — we examine your pet’s teeth and gums for plaque buildup, infection, and more, with recommendations for any needed treatment.
- Dental cleaning — we remove plaque and polish the enamel to help keep teeth smooth and reduce future buildup.
- Tooth extractions — when a tooth becomes infected, extraction can relieve pain and make eating and drinking more comfortable.
- Teeth cleaning consultations — if brushing at home is a challenge, we’ll help you find a method and products that work for you and your pet.
Dental Prophylaxis
Ideally, pets would have their teeth brushed daily, but we understand that’s not always realistic. Dental prophylaxes help maintain and promote your pet’s oral health between at-home care. A prophylaxis is performed under general anesthesia so our doctors and licensed veterinary technicians can thoroughly examine and chart the condition of each tooth. Using an ultrasonic scaler, we clean the subgingival area of the mouth — the area below the gumline where plaque and calculus cause periodontal disease in most patients. Each scaling is followed by polishing to smooth the enamel and reduce plaque adhesion, and teeth may be treated with fluoride to harden dentin, reduce sensitivity, and help slow the formation of feline oral resorptive lesions.
Why Dental Care Matters
Cleaning your pet’s teeth, whether at home or in our clinic, helps prevent the plaque buildup that leads to tartar. Left unaddressed, plaque collects around the teeth and can lead to infection that travels through the bloodstream, affecting your pet’s immune system. Tassajara Veterinary Clinic is equipped with a dental radiology machine, allowing us to detect bone loss, broken teeth, and resorptive lesions through dental X-rays.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral and dental disease by age three. Certain breeds are more susceptible, including toy breed dogs and Asian breed cats such as Siamese and Abyssinian.
Contact Us for Danville Pet Dental Care
We’ll help you keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy. Contact us today at (925) 736-8387 to schedule an appointment for veterinary or pet dental services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Dental Care
How often does my pet need a professional dental cleaning?
Most pets benefit from a professional cleaning once a year, though your veterinarian may recommend a different schedule depending on your pet’s dental health.
Is anesthesia necessary for pet dental cleanings?
Yes. Anesthesia allows for a thorough exam, X-rays, and cleaning below the gumline, which can’t be done safely or effectively while a pet is awake.
What are the warning signs of dental disease?
Watch for bad breath, bleeding or inflamed gums, difficulty eating, and visibly cracked, broken, or discolored teeth.
Can I brush my pet’s teeth at home?
Yes, and we recommend it. Ask our team for product recommendations and tips during your pet’s next wellness exam.
Do you offer dental X-rays?
Yes, our dental radiology equipment helps us detect bone loss, broken teeth, and resorptive lesions that aren’t visible during a standard exam.
Are certain breeds more prone to dental problems?
Yes. Toy breed dogs and Asian breed cats such as Siamese and Abyssinian tend to be more susceptible to dental disease.
What happens if my pet needs a tooth extracted?
We perform the extraction under anesthesia and provide guidance on aftercare to keep your pet comfortable during recovery.
Schedule your pet’s dental exam today.