Dentistry

Pet dental health is often overlooked but has critical implications for your pet’s quality of life and well-being. Our Estherville Veterinary Clinic team provides professional pet dentistry services to prevent dental problems and treat existing oral health conditions. Our team also recognizes the importance of dental home care and can provide education, instruction, and product selection assistance.

Why Dental Care Matters

Did you know that pets need the same oral care as people, including daily toothbrushing and routine professional cleanings? Unfortunately, many pets suffer from poor oral health, which can lead to pain, infection, and systemic problems affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys. Proper dental care helps prevent plaque and tartar buildup, keeps your pet’s teeth and gums healthy, and contributes to a good quality of life.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease affects nearly all pets by age 3, impacting the gums, bones, and other tooth-supporting oral tissues. It begins when sticky plaque coats the teeth and hardens into tartar, allowing bacteria to accumulate and causing gum inflammation (i.e., gingivitis). Left untreated, periodontal disease progresses and causes pain, tooth loss, and difficulty eating or playing. Additionally, bacteria from infected gum tissue can leak into the bloodstream and affect important organs, including the heart. 

Regular dental exams are essential for detecting and addressing dental issues before they become serious. During a dental exam, our veterinarians thoroughly inspect your pet’s teeth and gums, looking for signs of plaque, tartar, gum disease, broken or loose teeth, and other oral problems. Our veterinarians can perform a brief dental exam when your pet visits for routine wellness care.

During a professional dental cleaning trained team members remove plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gum line and polish your pet’s teeth. Our veterinarians perform a comprehensive oral examination and appropriately treat problem teeth. Our entire team is skilled in providing thorough and gentle cleanings to keep your pet’s mouth in optimal condition.

Dental cleanings can be used to treat existing dental issues, but they are best used to prevent periodontal disease and other dental problems. At the Estherville Veterinary Clinic, we recommend regular dental cleanings annually for most pets, although we will evaluate each pet individually and provide customized recommendations.

Many dental problems require surgical intervention to remove diseased teeth. Our veterinary team can perform a range of dental procedures to address complex dental issues, including oral tumors. We use oral nerve blocks and injectable pain medications to ensure your pet remains comfortable throughout their stay. We send each pet home with personalized recommendations for home care and follow-up. 

Anesthesia is essential for dental procedures, ensuring your pet remains still and pain-free during their treatment. While anesthesia-free dentistry seems appealing, it can cause pets extreme stress and does not allow for a thorough cleaning or necessary treatments. We take every precaution to ensure safe anesthesia for all pets, which includes conducting a thorough pre-anesthetic evaluation and monitoring your pet closely throughout the procedure; we may recommend added bloodwork or diagnostics to help refine anesthesia for individual pets.