Pet dental care at Peach City Animal Hospital in Penticton addresses one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of your pet's overall health. By age three, the majority of dogs and cats show signs of dental disease, and most hide the discomfort well. Dental infection affects not just the mouth but can also impact the heart, kidneys, and liver over time. Our veterinary dental program focuses on prevention, early detection, and thorough professional care to keep your pet comfortable and healthy.
A professional dental cleaning at our Penticton clinic involves much more than brushing visible tooth surfaces. Performed under general anesthesia with full monitoring, the procedure includes scaling above and below the gumline where bacterial biofilm accumulates, polishing to smooth the enamel surface and slow future plaque buildup, and a complete oral examination of every tooth, the gums, and the soft tissues of the mouth. Anesthesia allows for a thorough, safe, and stress-free cleaning that simply cannot be replicated in an awake patient. We communicate findings to you before proceeding with any extractions or additional procedures.
Up to sixty percent of dental disease exists below the gumline and is invisible without radiographs. Full-mouth dental X-rays are an essential component of every professional cleaning because they reveal root resorption, bone loss, abscesses, fractured roots, and impacted teeth that would otherwise go undetected. At Peach City Animal Hospital, we use digital dental radiographs for fast, clear images that help us make informed decisions about every tooth. Dental X-rays are included as part of our standard cleaning protocol.
Tooth extraction is recommended when a tooth is severely fractured, has advanced periodontal disease with significant bone loss, shows signs of resorption, or is causing pain that cannot be managed any other way. Extractions are performed under anesthesia with appropriate local nerve blocks to minimize discomfort during and after the procedure. Most pets recover quickly from extractions and eat comfortably within 24 to 48 hours. Contrary to what many owners fear, removing a problematic tooth almost always improves comfort rather than reducing quality of life.
Oral health assessment begins at every wellness exam where we evaluate plaque and tartar levels, gum health, and the overall condition of the teeth. We assess for early signs of periodontal disease, gingival recession, retained baby teeth, and malocclusion, especially in younger patients. Between professional cleanings, daily toothbrushing with pet-safe toothpaste is the single most effective way to slow plaque buildup. We can demonstrate brushing technique and recommend VOHC-accepted dental products at your next visit. Dental chews, water additives, and dental diets offer supplementary support.
Some dental conditions require surgical intervention beyond a standard cleaning and extraction. This includes advanced periodontal surgery, correction of retained teeth in young dogs and cats, and management of oral masses or cysts. Oral surgical cases that exceed our scope of routine dental care are referred to a veterinary dental specialist with a full summary from our team to ensure continuity of your pet's care.
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