Pet Dental Care for Dogs and Cats in Burnaby, BC

Dental disease is one of the most common and most overlooked health problems in dogs and cats. By the age of three, the majority of pets show signs of dental disease, and many are living with chronic oral pain that goes unnoticed because animals instinctively hide discomfort. At Edmonds St. Animal Hospital in Burnaby, BC, Dr. Maan provides comprehensive dental care for dogs and cats, from professional cleanings and digital dental X-rays to tooth extractions and oral health assessments, so your pet can eat, play, and live comfortably.

Professional Dental Cleanings for Dogs and Cats

A professional dental cleaning is the only way to safely remove tartar buildup from beneath the gumline, where bacteria accumulate and cause the most damage. Cleanings at Edmonds St. Animal Hospital are performed under general anesthesia for your pet’s comfort and safety, allowing Dr. Maan to thoroughly scale and polish all tooth surfaces including the critical area below the gumline. Anesthesia also allows for a complete oral examination and dental X-rays without causing stress. We follow pre-anesthetic protocols including bloodwork to ensure your pet is a safe anesthetic candidate before any dental procedure. Dental cleanings are recommended annually for most adult dogs and cats and more frequently for pets prone to rapid tartar buildup.

Tooth Extractions for Pets

Tooth extractions are performed when a tooth is irreparably damaged, fractured, severely infected, or causing ongoing pain. Retained deciduous teeth in puppies and kittens are also removed to prevent crowding and misalignment of permanent teeth. Dr. Maan performs extractions carefully and precisely, and appropriate supportive care is provided to ensure your pet is comfortable during recovery. Pets generally recover well from extractions and often show a noticeable improvement in comfort and activity levels once a painful tooth has been removed. Post-operative care instructions are provided in detail, and a follow-up assessment is scheduled to confirm healing.

Digital Dental X-Rays for Dogs and Cats

Up to 60 percent of each tooth lies below the gumline, invisible to the naked eye. Digital dental X-rays are an essential part of every comprehensive dental examination and cleaning, allowing Dr. Maan to assess the health of tooth roots, surrounding bone, and structures that cannot be seen on visual inspection alone. Dental X-rays reveal root fractures, bone loss, tooth root abscesses, retained roots from previous extractions, and unerupted or impacted teeth. At Edmonds St. Animal Hospital, dental X-rays are taken under anesthesia as part of every dental cleaning, ensuring a complete and accurate picture of your pet’s oral health at every visit.

Oral Health Assessment

Oral Infection Care and Soft Tissue Conditions

Oral infections including periodontal abscesses, stomatitis in cats, and infected tooth sockets require prompt attention. Untreated oral infections can spread to surrounding bone and, in severe cases, to other organ systems. Dr. Maan assesses and manages oral infections as part of comprehensive dental care. For cats with feline stomatitis, a painful inflammatory condition affecting the gum and oral tissue, ongoing management is available and tailored to the severity of the condition. Dental surgery for complex cases is also available at our clinic and is referenced on our Surgical Services page for procedures requiring a combined surgical and dental approach.

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Surgical services including dental surgery

Pre-anesthetic bloodwork for dental procedures

Annual wellness exams for dogs and cats

FAQ

How often should my dog or cat have a professional dental cleaning?

Annual dental cleanings are recommended for most adult dogs and cats. Some pets, particularly small dog breeds and certain cat breeds, may benefit from more frequent cleanings due to a higher predisposition to rapid tartar buildup and periodontal disease.

What are the signs of dental disease in dogs and cats?

Bad breath is the most common early sign. Other signs include yellow or brown tartar buildup on the teeth, red or swollen gums, drooling, dropping food while eating, reluctance to chew hard food, and pawing at the mouth. Many pets with significant dental disease show no obvious signs, which is why regular dental exams are important.

Is it safe for my older pet to have a dental cleaning under anesthesia?

Yes, with appropriate pre-anesthetic assessment. Dr. Maan reviews bloodwork and performs a physical examination before any anesthetic procedure to ensure your pet is a safe candidate. The risks of leaving severe dental disease untreated often outweigh the risks of a well-monitored anesthetic procedure.

Can I do anything at home to support my pet's dental health?

Daily tooth brushing is the most effective at-home dental care option. Start slowly using pet-safe toothpaste and build up to brushing gradually. Dental chews and water additives can also support oral hygiene between professional cleanings, though they do not replace scaling under anesthesia.

What happens if dental disease is left without care?

Untreated dental disease progresses from gingivitis to periodontitis, causing pain, bone loss, loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss. Bacteria from oral infection can also enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, kidneys, and liver over time. Early and regular dental care avoids these outcomes.