Veterinary Dentistry & Dental Surgery

Pet Dental Cleaning & Exams in Torrance, CA

You should ensure that your pet comes in for a dental exam at least once per year. Dogs and cats who are predisposed to developing oral health issues may need to come in more often than that.

At Torrance Companion Animal Hospital, we can assess, diagnose and treat dental health problems in cats and dogs. 

• Symptoms

  If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, it's probably time to bring them in for a dental checkup.

  • Discolored teeth
  • Bad breath 
  • Pain or swelling in or around the mouth
  • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
  • Tartar buildup
  • Loose and/or broken teeth
  • Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth  

  Contact Us to Book a Dental Checkup
• Assessment

  We will conduct a thorough assessment of your pet's physical health before we administer anesthesia for your pet's 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 placed under anesthesia, we will conduct a comprehensive oral examination of each of their teeth and charting.

• Treatment

  After this, we clean their teeth above and below the gum line and polish each one and take x-rays of their mouth. We will then apply fluoride to each of their teeth to strengthen them.

  The final step is to apply a dental sealant to prevent plaque from attaching to the enamel. If advanced periodontal disease is found, the veterinarian will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you. 

• Prevention

  We will schedule a comprehensive follow-up examination  about two weeks after your pet's initial appointment. 

  Here, we will speak with you about implementing oral hygiene practices at home. Our team will also be able to recommend products to you that can help improve your pet's oral health.

FAQs About Pet Dental Cleaning & Care

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our patients about pet dental care.

• Why do pets need their teeth cleaned?

  Just like humans, our pets can develop periodontal disease or tooth decay when they don't have good oral health. 

  When animals eat, plaque builds on and sticks to their teeth and can become tartar if not brushed away regularly.

  This can cause mouth infections, tooth decay, periodontal disease and missing or loose teeth. Because of this, regular dental care is key to preventing pain or disease in your pet's teeth and gums. 

• How can I tell if my pet has oral hygiene issues?

  Behavior can be an excellent indicator of your pet's oral health issues. If your pet is experiencing a dental health problem, they might drool excessively, paw at their mouth or teeth, yawn, grind their teeth, or avoid grooming their regular amount. 

  There are other, more obvious, signs of oral health issues to keep an eye out for, including swollen gums, tooth discoloration and bad breath. In more severe cased, your pet may also suffer from enough pain that they will not be able to eat. 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?

  On top of their ability to cause problems like bad breath and cavities, oral health issues can also cause diseases and conditions in the kidneys, liver, or heart of your pet.

  You pet may develop cysts or tumors as a result of poor oral health and may just not feel well generally. Oral health issues, like any disease, can also shorten your pet's lifespan and cause them significant pain. 

  This is why regular dental care is so essential to animals' physical health and wellbeing. 

• What happens during a pet teeth cleaning appointment?

  Over the course of your pet's regular oral exam, we will examine their mouth and look for emerging oral health conditions or symptoms which may require treatment. 

  Your vet dentist will clean tartar and other debris from your cat's or dog'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 some more serious cases, surgery will be required for treatment. Your pet will be provided anesthesia before their dental procedure in order to ensure that they are comfortable and won't experience any pain during the procedure. Your pet will require special care after their surgery. 

  If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a dental appointment with us. 

• What should I do at home to keep my pet’s teeth clean between dental appointments?

  You should be brushing your pet's teeth on a regular basis and providing them with dental chew toys. These will help keep your pet's mouth free of plaque. 

  As well, make sure you don't allow your pet to chew on things which will damage their teeth, like some toys, bones, or other hard objects. Always contact your vet if you have any concerns about your pet's oral health.