Pet Dental Care
In Orlando, FL

Preventative dental care for dogs and cats looks a lot like what we do as humans — brushing teeth twice daily, eating the right foods, and prophylactic dental cleanings. While brushing a squirmy puppy’s teeth twice a day might not be feasible, brushing as often as your puppy will allow is a step in the right direction! We also recommend water additives and safe dental treats(always check for the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval on the packaging) as additional tools for helping maintain your pet’s oral health. Prophylactic dental cleanings are recommended for all pets, though the recommended frequency varies from pet to pet. Call or text us at (407) 807-6611 to schedule an appointment to discuss what steps are recommended for your pet’s oral health and when we recommend your pet’s next dental cleaning

Unlike humans, a dental cleaning for pets is an anesthetized procedure. While we may be capable of sitting perfectly still while the dentist pokes and probes in our mouths, dogs and cats are not. For more information regarding dental surgeries and anesthetic procedures at Salazar Veterinary Hospital, click here

When we provide an estimate for a dental procedure, we create the estimate based on your pet’s stage of dental disease. Once your pet is under anesthesia and we have performed dental radiographs, a full oral examination, and dental cleaning, a member of our surgical team will call to review Dr. Salazar’s recommendations for extractions, gingival flaps (a procedure used to suture over large holes where teeth were removed), and treatments. Dental radiographs are a required part of every dental procedure, as those images show us each tooth from root to tip and the surrounding bone structure, providing a complete picture of your pet’s overall oral health.

Extractions are recommended when a tooth is already showing signs of diminishing health (root exposure, bone loss, severe decay, etc.) and removing it will improve how your pet feels and his/her overall health. Laser therapy is performed after all dental cleanings to reduce inflammation and expedite the healing process. If no extractions are performed, your pet will go home without any medications and no need for a recheck appointment. If extractions are performed, your pet will go home with a pain medication and e-collar; our surgical technician will review medications, when/how to use the e-collar, and at-home care, and will assist with scheduling a recheck appointment so we can ensure your pet’s mouth has healed properly post-extractions.

Most pets resist or pull away when we try to look in their mouths, so we understand the difficulties pet owners face when trying to get a pulse on their pet’s oral health. There are outward signs you can look for at home that can let you know if your pet needs more than just preventative dental care. Some of these signs include:

- Pawing at the mouth

- Chewing food on only one side of the mouth

- Pet not wanting to eat or eating less

- Facial swelling (often appears under the eyes)

- Bad breath

- Blood-tinged saliva

- Weight loss If you notice any of these signs, give us a call at  (407) 807-6611 right away to schedule an appointment. We want to give your pet relief from their discomfort as quickly as possible!