Pet Dental Care in Abbotsford, BC
Pet Dental Care in Abbotsford, BC addresses one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of your dog or cat’s overall health. More than 70 percent of pets over the age of three have some degree of dental disease, yet most show no obvious signs until the condition is advanced. Glenn Mountain Animal Hospital provides comprehensive dental cleanings and prophylaxis, dental X-rays, extractions, and oral health assessments for dogs and cats in Abbotsford, Mission, Clearbrook, Aldergrove, and Chilliwack. Call (604) 852-3030 to book your pet’s dental exam.
Dental Cleaning and Prophylaxis
A professional dental cleaning and prophylaxis removes the plaque and tartar that cannot be eliminated by home brushing alone. At Glenn Mountain Animal Hospital, dental cleanings are performed under general anesthesia to allow safe, thorough access to all tooth surfaces and below the gumline, where most dental disease begins. Scaling removes calculus and bacterial deposits, while polishing smooths the enamel surface to slow future buildup. An oral health assessment is completed during every cleaning, allowing us to identify loose teeth, gingival pockets, root exposure, or other concerns before they cause pain or systemic effects. Annual cleanings are recommended for most dogs and cats.
Dental Extractions
Dental extractions remove teeth that are severely damaged, infected, fractured, or non-viable due to advanced periodontal disease. While losing a tooth can sound alarming, most dogs and cats eat, chew, and play entirely normally after extractions, particularly when the affected tooth was already a source of pain. At Glenn Mountain Animal Hospital, extractions are performed under full general anesthesia with appropriate pain control products provided for home recovery. Dental X-rays are taken before and after extractions to confirm complete root removal and assess surrounding bone health.
Dental X-Ray
Dental radiographs are a critical part of a thorough oral health assessment because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, invisible to the naked eye. Tooth root problems, bone loss, retained roots, and unerupted teeth are only visible on X-ray. Glenn Mountain Animal Hospital uses dental X-rays during every cleaning and whenever a specific tooth concern is identified. Dental radiographs are the standard of care in veterinary dentistry and allow us to make well-informed decisions about which teeth require intervention before and after any procedure.
Scaling
Scaling is the process of removing calculus, the hardened mineral deposits that accumulate on tooth surfaces over time, using specialized instruments designed for veterinary dental use. Calculus harbors bacteria that contribute to gum disease, bone loss, and systemic effects if left in place over an extended period. Manual and ultrasonic scaling tools are used in combination to clean the crown of each tooth and the area just below the gumline. Scaling is performed as part of every professional dental cleaning at Glenn Mountain Animal Hospital under general anesthesia.
Polishing
Polishing is the final step of a professional dental cleaning and involves smoothing the enamel surface after calculus removal. A smooth enamel surface provides less surface area for plaque bacteria to adhere to, slowing the rate at which tartar accumulates between cleanings. Polishing also allows us to assess and address any remaining areas that may have been missed during scaling. This step is included as standard in every dental cleaning performed at Glenn Mountain Animal Hospital and is not available as a standalone procedure outside of a full cleaning.
Dental Surgery
Dental surgical procedures including complex extractions, root tip removals, and oral mass removal are performed at Glenn Mountain Animal Hospital in close coordination with our Surgical Services team. All dental surgeries are conducted under general anesthesia with full monitoring and appropriate pain control measures. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is available and recommended for all patients undergoing dental surgery. See our Surgical Services page for more information on anesthesia preparation, monitoring protocols, and post-surgical care available at our Abbotsford clinic.
Annual professional dental cleanings are recommended for most dogs and cats, though some pets need them more frequently depending on breed, genetics, and home care routine. Small and brachycephalic breeds tend to accumulate tartar more quickly than larger breeds. We assess dental health at every physical exam and let you know when a professional cleaning is due.
Anesthesia allows safe, pain-free access to all tooth surfaces including below the gumline, where most dental disease occurs. Pets cannot hold still or open their mouths in the way human patients can, and a thorough cleaning without anesthesia would be both incomplete and stressful. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is available to assess your pet’s readiness and reduce anesthetic risk.
Daily brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste significantly reduces the rate of plaque buildup and is one of the best things you can do for your pet’s oral health. However, once calculus has formed, brushing cannot remove it. Professional cleanings address the mineral deposits that home care cannot. Combining regular home brushing with annual professional cleanings gives your pet the best chance of maintaining good oral health throughout their life.
Bad breath is often the most noticeable sign of dental disease. Other signs include drooling, dropping food, favoring one side of the mouth when chewing, reduced appetite, pawing at the mouth, and visible tartar or swollen gums. If you notice any of these signs, call us at (604) 852-3030 to schedule an oral health assessment.
Book your pet’s dental exam at Glenn Mountain Animal Hospital in Abbotsford. Open Monday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm, Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. Call (604) 852-3030 or book online at glennmountainvet.ca/book-an-appointment/.