Dentistry at La Crosse Veterinary Clinic
When it comes to pets, dental health is often an indicator of their overall health, so it’s important for you to have your pet’s teeth examined by a veterinarian at least once a year. Pets that don’t receive regular dental care often develop a pet gum disease, which will eventually lead to a bad smelling and painful mouth. It can also potentially cause heart, liver, and kidney disease from too much bacteria in your pet’s mouth.
La Crosse Veterinary Clinic offers a number of pet dental care services. To learn more about each service, view the information below.
Pet Teeth Cleaning (Dental Prophylaxis)
Here at La Crosse Veterinary Clinic, our teeth cleaning procedure—also known as a dental prophylaxis—involves not only thoroughly cleaning the teeth, but preventing oral infection and disease as well. For every teeth cleaning we perform, we monitor each pet’s vital signs before, during, and after treatment. We also use warming pads and fluids for added comfort throughout the entire treatment.
Our dental prophylaxes involve a three-phase process, detailed below. You can also print our Explanation of an Itemized Dental Treatment Plan and Dentistry at La Crosse Veterinary Clinic handouts for more information.
Prior to beginning dental treatment, we perform pre-anesthetic blood work to ensure that your pet is healthy before being anesthetized. Then we place an IV catheter, which is used for short acting induction anesthesia, pain relief medications, fluids, and any additional medications or anesthesia needed during the procedure. Lastly, we place a breathing tube to begin anesthesia administration.
The pet teeth cleaning procedure includes the following seven steps:
- We begin by examining the entire mouth, noting any signs that may indicate an infection.
- Next, we examine the mouth tissue above and below the gum line to look for irregularities.
- To view structures below the gum line and determine if there are any hidden abnormalities, we take digital dental X-rays of the mouth.
- We clean the teeth using an ultrasonic scaler, which removes tartar deposits and smoothes the area under the gum line.
- After the teeth are cleaned, we polish them to correct any minor surface imperfections.
- Next, we use an antiseptic rinse to remove any remaining debris from the mouth and to freshen your pet’s breath.
- We then use a fluoride application on the teeth to seal and protect the enamel.
After your pet’s dental treatment is complete, we remove him or her from anesthesia and continue to monitor them until they are fully awake and for several hours after that. At that time, we will contact you to notify you of your pet’s status. When we discharge your pet, we will give you before and after pictures, along with instructions and recommendations for at-home dental care. If necessary, we will also provide medication such as antibiotics or additional pain relief.
Dental Health Products and Diets for Animals
To keep your pet’s mouth healthy between dental treatments, La Crosse Veterinary Clinic recommends products that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. These include a wide selection of dental chews, anti-plaque products, dental sealants, and a number of diet food products. Products are awarded with the VOHC seal if they are proven to effectively help control plaque and tartar.
Feline Dental Health
Below, you will find information on a specific feline oral condition and feline dental grades, each of which detail the severity of the symptoms and need for professional pet dental care.
Feline oral resorption is one of the most common oral problems seen in cats. It begins as small lesions in the tooth enamel, similar to a cavity on the side of the tooth, but can eventually affect the nerves and blood vessels, which causes severe pain. A cat with oral resorptive lesions may also exhibit signs such as drooling, difficulty chewing, and lack of appetite. Currently, the only way to treat a tooth with lesions is to remove it. View our Feline Oral Resorption handout to learn more.
Grade 1
Minor: At this stage, early gingivitis has taken effect. Soft plaque and tartar have accumulated on the surface of the teeth, and the gums are red and inflamed.
Recommended professional dental: within six months of this stage
Grade 2
Moderate: Gingivitis has progressed into moderate tartar and plaque buildup, causing pockets between the gums and teeth where food, bacteria, and other particles can accumulate. The gums are red, swollen, and painful to the touch and may even bleed. Treatment is needed to reverse the progression of disease.
Recommended professional dental cleaning: within three months
Grade 3
Major: Gingivitis has progressed and includes heavy tartar, plaque, and calculus buildup as well as permanent tooth damage. Pockets between the teeth and gum line are larger, causing even more bacteria and debris to accumulate. At this stage, infection has taken place and destroyed gum tissue, causing some teeth to loosen. As a result, the gums are very tender, painful, bright, and may bleed easily.
Recommended professional dental cleaning: within two to four weeks
Grade 4
Severe: Gum disease is present and includes severe tartar, plaque, calculus deposits, root infection, and usually severe pain. Permanent damage has occurred, including extensive tissue as a result of toxic debris and inflammation. Bone loss has also occurred, causing many teeth to become loose and bacteria to enter the blood stream.
Recommend professional dental cleaning: immediately!
Canine Dental Health
Below, you will find information on a specific feline oral condition and feline dental grades, each of which detail the severity of the symptoms and need for professional dental care.
Canine Dental Grades
WARNING: The following images contain graphic content.
Need help determining if your dog needs a dental cleaning? Refer to the dental grade images below. To maintain your dog’s oral health, we recommend that you bring them in at least once a year for a nose-to-tail wellness exam, which includes an assessment of the mouth.
Grade 1
Minor: At this stage, early gingivitis has taken effect. Soft plaque and tartar have accumulated on the surface of the teeth, and the gums are red and inflamed.
Recommended professional dental: within six months of this stage
Grade 2
Moderate: Gingivitis has progressed into moderate tartar and plaque buildup, causing pockets between the gums and teeth where food, bacteria, and other particles can accumulate. The gums are red, swollen, and painful and may even bleed. Treatment is needed to reverse the progression of disease.
Recommended professional dental cleaning: within three months
Grade 3
Major: Gingivitis has progressed and includes heavy tartar, plaque, and calculus buildup as well as permanent tooth damage. Pockets between the teeth and gum line are larger, causing even more bacteria and debris to accumulate. At this stage, infection has taken place and destroyed gum tissue, causing some teeth to loosen. As a result, the gums are very tender, painful, bright, and may bleed easily.
Recommended professional dental cleaning: within two to four weeks
Grade 4
Severe: Gum disease is present and includes severe tartar, plaque, calculus deposits, root infection, and usually severe pain. Permanent damage has occurred, including extensive tissue as a result of toxic debris and inflammation. Bone loss has also occurred, causing many teeth to become loose and bacteria to enter the blood stream.
Recommend professional dental cleaning: immediately!