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Pet Dental Care for Dogs and Cats in Port Moody
Dental disease is one of the most common and most overlooked health concerns in dogs and cats. Veterinarians widely consider oral health to be closely connected to overall health, and untreated dental disease can affect the heart, kidneys, and liver over time. Newport Village Animal Hospital provides comprehensive dental care for dogs and cats in Port Moody, including professional cleanings, extractions, digital dental X-rays, and oral health assessments. Our team is open seven days a week with same-day appointments available, so dental concerns do not have to wait for a weekday opening. Pet owners in Port Moody and Coquitlam trust us for their dogs' and cats' routine and urgent dental needs alike.
Professional Dental Cleanings in Port Moody
A professional dental cleaning performed under anaesthetic is the only way to fully remove tartar build-up from below the gumline, where the majority of dental disease begins. During a dental cleaning, our team scales and polishes each tooth, probes the gumline for pockets, assesses every tooth for looseness or damage, and performs digital dental X-rays to evaluate what cannot be seen with the naked eye. Pre-anaesthetic bloodwork is recommended before dental procedures to ensure your pet's organs are functioning well before the procedure. Most pets go home the same day and are comfortable and eating within 24 hours of their procedure.
Dental Extractions and Oral Surgery
When a tooth is beyond the point of recovery, extraction is the most appropriate course of action to eliminate pain and prevent ongoing infection. Fractured teeth, severely mobile teeth, and teeth with deep periodontal involvement often require removal. Our team performs dental extractions with care and precision, using appropriate pain management before, during, and after the procedure. Most pets adapt remarkably well after extractions and are often more comfortable than they were before the procedure, having previously experienced pain that was difficult to detect. Post-extraction recovery instructions are provided at discharge, including guidance on soft foods and follow-up monitoring.
Digital Dental X-Rays for Dogs and Cats
Digital dental radiography allows our team to evaluate the roots, bone, and internal tooth structure that are invisible during a standard oral exam. A significant portion of dental disease is located below the gumline and would be completely missed without X-rays. This makes dental radiography a critical part of a complete dental assessment, not an optional add-on. At Newport Village Animal Hospital, dental X-rays are incorporated into every dental cleaning so that nothing is overlooked. The images are reviewed immediately during the procedure, allowing our team to address any additional findings during the same anaesthetic event rather than scheduling a second visit.
Oral Health at Home: Supporting Your Pet Between Visits
Professional cleanings are most effective when supported by consistent home care between appointments. Tooth brushing is widely recognised as the gold standard for home dental maintenance, but not every pet will tolerate a toothbrush. Dental diets, water additives, and specific chews can help reduce plaque accumulation for pets who resist brushing. Our team is happy to show you techniques that are realistic for your pet and your routine. The goal is to extend the time between professional cleanings and keep your pet's mouth healthier for longer. During each wellness visit, your pet's teeth are assessed so any progression is caught early.
Oral Health Assessments for Dogs and Cats
Every wellness exam at Newport Village Animal Hospital includes an oral health assessment as a standard part of the physical evaluation. This gives our team a regular opportunity to track the state of your pet's mouth over time and recommend a professional cleaning before significant disease develops. Early stage tartar build-up and mild gingival change are much easier and safer to address than advanced dental disease. If your pet has not had an oral assessment recently, or if you have noticed changes such as bad breath, difficulty eating, dropping food, or pawing at the mouth, these signs warrant a veterinary visit.
FAQs
Most dogs and cats benefit from a professional dental cleaning every one to two years, though some breeds and individuals develop tartar more quickly and may need more frequent cleaning. The rate of tartar accumulation varies by diet, home care, saliva composition, and tooth alignment. Your veterinarian will assess your pet’s mouth at each wellness visit and recommend a cleaning schedule based on what they see.
Visible signs that may indicate dental disease include yellow or brown tartar build-up on the teeth, red or inflamed gums, persistent bad breath, difficulty chewing, dropping food, favouring one side of the mouth, pawing at the face, or reluctance to have the mouth touched. Many pets with dental disease do not show obvious pain behaviours, which is why regular oral assessments are important. If you notice any of these signs, a veterinary visit is recommended.
Yes. A safe and thorough dental cleaning requires full anaesthetic. Without it, the area below the gumline cannot be properly cleaned, dental X-rays cannot be taken accurately, and the pet’s safety and comfort cannot be maintained throughout the procedure. Non-anaesthetic dental scaling that only addresses visible surfaces does not address the source of dental disease and is not a substitute for a proper professional cleaning.
Yes. Veterinarians widely recognise that untreated dental disease allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream through inflamed gum tissue, where it may contribute to changes in the heart, kidneys, and liver over time. This is one of the reasons oral health is considered an important part of overall preventive care rather than a separate or cosmetic concern. Keeping your pet’s mouth healthy is an investment in their whole body health.
Daily tooth brushing using a pet-safe toothpaste is widely considered the most effective home care option. For pets who resist brushing, dental diets, water additives approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), and appropriate dental chews can provide some benefit. Our team can walk you through home care options at your next visit and help you find an approach that works for your pet and your routine.
Your pet's dental health deserves the same attention as the rest of their body. Newport Village Animal Hospital provides professional dental cleanings and oral care for dogs and cats in Port Moody, open seven days a week. Call (604) 492-3900 to schedule your pet's dental assessment.