Dental care is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of pet health, yet periodontal disease affects the majority of dogs and cats over three years of age. At PoCo West Animal Hospital in Port Coquitlam, our dental services address oral health from routine cleanings and polishing through tooth extractions and dental surgical procedures. Oral disease causes real discomfort and, when left unaddressed, can affect organ health over time. Our team assesses dental health at every wellness visit and recommends a personalized dental care plan based on what we find.
Professional dental cleaning requires general anesthesia to allow safe, thorough access to all tooth surfaces, the gum line, and below the gum margin where tartar and bacteria accumulate. Under anesthesia, our team removes plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces using ultrasonic and hand scaling instruments, followed by polishing to smooth the enamel. A complete oral examination is performed during every dental cleaning, including probing of periodontal pockets to identify disease that is not visible on the surface. We provide pre-anesthetic bloodwork to confirm anesthetic safety before every dental procedure.
When a tooth is fractured, severely infected, or structurally compromised, extraction is often the most effective way to relieve pain and prevent further infection. Retained baby teeth that overlap adult teeth are also extracted, typically at the time of spay or neuter, to protect the permanent dentition. Our team performs extractions under general anesthesia with appropriate local nerve blocks to minimize discomfort during and after the procedure. Post-extraction care instructions are provided in writing, and most pets eat comfortably within 24 to 48 hours of uncomplicated extractions.
The majority of dental disease occurs below the gum line where it cannot be seen during visual examination alone. Dental X-rays reveal root fractures, bone loss, abscesses, and unerupted or impacted teeth that would otherwise go undetected. We perform full-mouth or targeted dental X-rays during dental cleaning procedures whenever indicated. Dental radiography is a standard part of thorough dental care, not an optional add-on. It is one of the most important tools we have for understanding the true state of your pet's oral health.
Dental scaling removes calculus (hardened tartar) from the tooth surfaces, including below the gum line where bacteria accumulate and cause periodontal disease. We use both ultrasonic scalers, which vibrate at high frequency to dislodge calculus efficiently, and hand instruments for detailed work in tight spaces. Scaling is performed under general anesthesia to allow safe, complete access to all areas of the mouth. Awake dental procedures, sometimes offered without anesthesia, are not recommended because they do not allow safe access to the areas where disease actually lives.
Following scaling, polishing smooths the tooth surfaces using a prophy paste and rotary tool. Smooth enamel makes it harder for new plaque to accumulate and adhere. Polishing is a routine step performed after scaling in every dental cleaning procedure. It helps maintain the results of the cleaning and extends the interval before significant tartar accumulation recurs. Combined with regular home dental care, professional cleaning and polishing significantly improve long-term oral health.
Preventive dental care begins with a thorough oral health assessment at every wellness visit, even before a full cleaning is scheduled. Our team evaluates the level of tartar accumulation, gum health, and any signs of pain, swelling, or mobile teeth. We provide a practical home oral care plan including tooth brushing guidance, dental chews, and water additives that have clinical evidence behind them. Starting oral health habits early, particularly in puppies and kittens, significantly reduces the need for more complex dental work later in life.
Most dogs and cats benefit from a professional dental cleaning every 1 to 2 years, depending on the rate of tartar accumulation, breed, diet, and home dental care consistency. Smaller breeds and brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, Persians) tend to accumulate tartar faster. We assess dental health at every visit and recommend cleaning when it is clinically indicated, not on a set schedule.
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork helps us identify any concerns before proceeding and allows us to adjust the anesthetic protocol for your pet’s specific health status. Age alone is not a reason to avoid dental care, and untreated dental disease in senior pets causes real pain and systemic effects. We take every precaution and keep you fully informed before scheduling the procedure.
Yes, these signs suggest significant oral pain and warrant a same-day visit. Fractured teeth, abscesses, and severe periodontal disease can cause a pet to avoid eating on one side, drop food, or stop eating altogether. We will assess the mouth under sedation if needed to identify the source of discomfort.
Daily brushing with a dog-safe toothpaste significantly slows tartar accumulation and is the most effective home dental care you can do. However, it does not remove calculus that has already hardened, which requires professional scaling under anesthesia. The two approaches work best together. We can show you how to introduce brushing gradually so your pet accepts it.
What dental products are actually effective for dogs and cats?
Book a dental assessment for your dog or cat at PoCo West Animal Hospital in Port Coquitlam. Call (604) 554-1255 or book online at pocowestvets.ca/make-an-appointment/. Healthy teeth, clearer answers, less pain.
