Dental health is one of the most overlooked aspects of long-term pet care, yet it is closely connected to your pet's overall wellbeing. Periodontal disease is widely recognised as among the most common conditions seen in adult dogs and cats, and most pets will show some degree of dental change by the time they reach middle age. North Delta Animal Hospital provides professional dental care for dogs and cats in Delta and Surrey, including cleanings, extractions, digital dental X-rays, and oral health assessments. Our clinic is open seven days a week so scheduling dental care fits into your routine without difficulty.
A professional dental cleaning at a veterinary clinic is different from brushing your pet's teeth at home. The procedure is performed under anaesthetic, which allows our team to thoroughly clean above and below the gumline, where the most damaging bacterial accumulation occurs. Calculus buildup at and below the gumline is the primary driver of periodontal disease and, without professional removal, continues to progress regardless of at-home brushing efforts. During a cleaning, each tooth is scaled, polished, and examined individually. Pre-anaesthetic bloodwork is performed before every dental procedure to ensure your pet is a safe anaesthetic candidate. Our team will review findings with you after the cleaning and discuss at-home dental care recommendations to help maintain the results.
When a tooth is too damaged, infected, or mobile to be maintained, extraction is often the most appropriate path forward. Retained dental disease from a compromised tooth can affect surrounding teeth and the surrounding bone over time. Tooth extractions are performed under anaesthetic, with appropriate pain management in place so your pet is comfortable throughout the procedure and during recovery. Most pets recover well following extractions and return to eating normally within a short period. Our team will discuss the condition of your pet's teeth during and after the dental procedure and explain the reasons for any extractions that are performed.
A significant portion of each tooth sits below the gumline, invisible to the naked eye during a visual examination. Digital dental X-rays allow our team to assess the full structure of each tooth, including the roots and the surrounding bone, and identify concerns that would not be visible on the surface. Dental X-rays are an important part of a thorough dental assessment, as they reveal resorptive lesions, root fractures, bone loss, and other changes that affect decisions about how to manage each tooth. Our clinic uses digital dental X-ray equipment, which provides high-quality images quickly and with reduced radiation exposure compared to older film-based systems.
An oral health assessment gives our veterinary team a structured look at the overall state of your pet's mouth, including the teeth, gums, tongue, palate, and oral mucosa. Oral assessments are performed as part of wellness exams and as a dedicated service for pets with known dental concerns or those preparing for a dental cleaning procedure. Early identification of gingivitis, calculus accumulation, fractured teeth, oral masses, or abnormal tissue changes allows for timely care. Our team will discuss what we find and what, if anything, needs to be addressed, so you have a clear understanding of your pet's oral health status.
Professional dental cleanings are the cornerstone of good oral health management, but what happens between appointments matters too. Tooth brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste, dental chews, and water additives can all contribute to slowing the accumulation of plaque between professional cleanings. Our team can walk you through practical at-home dental care options that fit your pet's temperament and your daily routine, including how to introduce tooth brushing gradually for pets who are not initially comfortable with it. The goal is to support your pet's oral health at every stage, not just on cleaning days.
Veterinarians generally recommend a professional dental cleaning once a year for most adult dogs and cats, though some pets may need more frequent cleanings based on their individual rate of tartar accumulation, breed, and diet. An oral health assessment during your pet's annual wellness exam will help our team advise on the right schedule for your pet specifically.
Signs that may indicate your pet's dental health needs attention include visible yellow or brown tartar on the teeth, persistent bad breath, difficulty chewing, dropping food, pawing at the mouth, reduced interest in food, or red and swollen gum tissue. Not all dental disease is visible from the outside, which is why regular oral assessments during wellness visits are an important part of catching developing concerns early.
Pre-anaesthetic bloodwork is performed before every dental procedure to assess organ function and identify any factors that could affect anaesthetic safety. Our team monitors your pet closely throughout the cleaning and any additional procedures, and during recovery. While anaesthetic carries a small degree of risk for any patient, the risk of progressive dental disease if cleanings are skipped is widely considered to outweigh the risks of a properly managed anaesthetic procedure.
At-home tooth brushing is a valuable habit and helps slow the accumulation of plaque between professional cleanings. However, it cannot remove calculus that has already hardened on the tooth surface or address buildup below the gumline, where periodontal disease develops. Professional cleanings and at-home care work best together, rather than as substitutes for one another.
Yes. Cats are just as prone to dental disease as dogs, and in some cases more so. Feline dental resorptive lesions, a condition in which the tooth structure gradually breaks down, are particularly common in cats and can cause significant discomfort if not identified and addressed. Regular dental assessments and cleanings are recommended for cats throughout their adult lives.
Do not let dental disease go unaddressed. North Delta Animal Hospital provides professional dental care for dogs and cats in Delta and Surrey, seven days a week. Call (604) 596-8252 to schedule your pet's dental assessment or cleaning today.
