Dentistry

Pet dental health is often overlooked but has critical implications for your pet’s quality of life and well-being. Our Chain of Lakes  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.

A brown and black dog with a graying muzzle looks up at the camera, mouth slightly open to show its teeth. The dog, wearing a purple and black collar, appears as if it's waiting for attention from its veterinarian. The background is blurred.

Importance of dental care

Did you know that pets need the same oral care as people, including daily toothbrushing (or home care products) 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.

A black and white Border Collie dog is lying down on a white background, looking forward with its mouth open and tongue out, as if waiting for a treat from the vet.

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.

A black and white cat with a white chest lies on a colorful blanket, looking to the side as if waiting for the veterinarian. In front of the cat is a yellow and black plush butterfly toy.

Dental examinations

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.

A small brown and white dog with long ears lies on a metal surface at the vet, partially covered by a white blanket, looking forward with its tongue out.

Digital Dental X-rays

Most tooth problems in dogs and cats occur below the gum line, where you cannot see them. Dental X-rays provide focused images that allow us to see each tooth’s entire structure, including the root, and identify common issues, including tooth root abscesses, bone loss, tooth resorption, and unerupted teeth. Our veterinary team performs full-mouth dental X-rays each time your pet is anesthetized for a dental cleaning or oral surgery.

A white dog with light brown spots lies on a gray couch, looking up with its mouth open in a happy expression—perhaps excited for its next visit to the veterinarian. A patterned pillow is visible in the background.

Dental cleanings

During a professional dental cleaning, trained team members remove plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gum line, take dental X-rays, and polish your pet’s teeth. Our veterinarians perform a comprehensive oral examination and appropriately treat problem teeth. Our goal is always to clean your pet’s teeth before extractions are necessary. Prevention is the best medicine.  Our  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 Chain of Lakes Animal Clinic, we recommend regular dental cleanings  for most pets, although we will evaluate each pet individually and provide customized recommendations. The frequency needed depends partly on your pet’s size (dogs under 20 lbs are more prone to periodontal disease), breed/genetics, and your ability to provide daily home oral care.

Two orange and white kittens peer through a clear, round bubble window set in a bright yellow surface, appearing curious and slightly squished together inside—perhaps heading to see the vet for a check-up.

Dental surgery

Some 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 some 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.

A happy black and white dog with a spotted face sits outdoors on dirt, looking at the camera with its mouth open and tongue out, wearing a collar after a recent checkup with the vet.

Anesthesia safety

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, X-rays, 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 with a continuous EKG, CO2 monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation, and temperature monitoring. Our anesthesia team includes two well trained technicians and a doctor is present throughout the entire procedure.

A small brown and tan dog with large ears and big eyes sits on a black office chair, wearing a blue harness. The pup looks at the camera, mouth open and tongue out, as if waiting for the vet or veterinarian to arrive.

At-home dental care

At-home tooth brushing is the most effective way to maintain pet dental health between professional cleanings. Brushing daily with a pet-safe toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush removes plaque buildup, reduces harmful oral bacteria, and keeps your pet’s breath fresh. Our team can provide a tooth brushing demonstration, offer tips for helping pets acclimate, and recommend safe, effective dental products to help with plaque removal or for pets who will not accept brushing. We understand this isn’t always easy or practical, so we will cater our recommendations to  you and your pet.

A happy, black, white, and tan dog with large upright ears looks up at the camera, sitting on a light-colored wooden floor after a visit to the vet.

Importance of dental care

Did you know that pets need the same oral care as people, including daily toothbrushing (or home care products) 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.

A black and white cat with a white chest lies on a colorful blanket, looking to the side as if waiting for the veterinarian. In front of the cat is a yellow and black plush butterfly toy.

Dental examinations

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.

A small brown and white dog with long ears lies on a metal surface at the vet, partially covered by a white blanket, looking forward with its tongue out.

Digital Dental X-rays

Most tooth problems in dogs and cats occur below the gum line, where you cannot see them. Dental X-rays provide focused images that allow us to see each tooth’s entire structure, including the root, and identify common issues, including tooth root abscesses, bone loss, tooth resorption, and unerupted teeth. Our veterinary team performs full-mouth dental X-rays each time your pet is anesthetized for a dental cleaning or oral surgery.

A white dog with light brown spots lies on a gray couch, looking up with its mouth open in a happy expression—perhaps excited for its next visit to the veterinarian. A patterned pillow is visible in the background.

Dental cleanings

During a professional dental cleaning, trained team members remove plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gum line, take dental X-rays, and polish your pet’s teeth. Our veterinarians perform a comprehensive oral examination and appropriately treat problem teeth. Our goal is always to clean your pet’s teeth before extractions are necessary. Prevention is the best medicine. Our 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 Chain of Lakes Animal Clinic, we recommend regular dental cleanings for most pets, although we will evaluate each pet individually and provide customized recommendations. The frequency needed depends partly on your pet’s size (dogs under 20 lbs are more prone to periodontal disease), breed/genetics, and your ability to provide daily home oral care.

Two orange and white kittens peer through a clear, round bubble window set in a bright yellow surface, appearing curious and slightly squished together inside—perhaps heading to see the vet for a check-up.

Dental surgery

Some 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 some 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.

A happy black and white dog with a spotted face sits outdoors on dirt, looking at the camera with its mouth open and tongue out, wearing a collar after a recent checkup with the vet.

Anesthesia safety

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, X-rays, 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 with a continuous EKG, CO2 monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation, and temperature monitoring. Our anesthesia team includes two well trained technicians and a doctor is present throughout the entire procedure.

A small brown and tan dog with large ears and big eyes sits on a black office chair, wearing a blue harness. The pup looks at the camera, mouth open and tongue out, as if waiting for the vet or veterinarian to arrive.

At-home dental care

At-home tooth brushing is the most effective way to maintain pet dental health between professional cleanings. Brushing daily with a pet-safe toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush removes plaque buildup, reduces harmful oral bacteria, and keeps your pet’s breath fresh. Our team can provide a tooth brushing demonstration, offer tips for helping pets acclimate, and recommend safe, effective dental products to help with plaque removal or for pets who will not accept brushing. We understand this isn’t always easy or practical, so we will cater our recommendations to you and your pet.

A happy, black, white, and tan dog with large upright ears looks up at the camera, sitting on a light-colored wooden floor after a visit to the vet.