Pet Dental Care in South Surrey and White Rock, BC
Dental disease is one of the most common and most underrecognized health problems in dogs and cats. By the age of three, the majority of pets show some degree of dental disease, yet most families are unaware until a professional exam reveals the extent of the problem. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital in South Surrey, we provide complete dental care services under full general anesthetic, allowing our team to work safely and thoroughly. Dental disease is not just about bad breath. Left unmanaged, it can lead to significant pain, tooth loss, and infections that affect other organs. Regular dental care is one of the most meaningful investments you can make in your pet’s health. Call (604) 536-3131 to schedule a dental exam.
Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleaning at Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital involves a thorough scaling of the tooth surfaces and below the gum line, where the most harmful buildup occurs, followed by polishing that smooths the enamel to help slow plaque reattachment. The procedure is performed under full general anesthetic with dedicated monitoring throughout. This is not optional for safety reasons. Without anesthetic, it is impossible to scale below the gum line, evaluate every tooth surface, take intraoral radiographs, or provide care without causing stress and risk. Our team evaluates your pet's anesthetic readiness before every procedure and uses monitoring equipment throughout. Most pets recover and go home the same day.
Dental Extractions
Tooth extractions become necessary when a tooth is severely compromised by decay, fracture, advanced periodontal disease, or root damage that makes it non-viable and painful to retain. Extracting a painful tooth is not a loss; it is the removal of a source of ongoing discomfort that often goes unrecognized by owners because pets rarely show obvious signs of dental pain until it is significant. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, extractions are performed under full anesthetic with local nerve blocks to minimize post-operative discomfort. Recovery from dental extraction is typically smooth, and most pets eat normally within one to two days of the procedure.
Dental X-Rays
Intraoral dental radiography is an essential part of a thorough dental assessment. A significant portion of each tooth sits below the gum line and cannot be evaluated by visual inspection alone. Dental radiographs allow us to assess root health, bone loss around the tooth, and conditions such as tooth resorption in cats, retained root fragments, and abscesses that are not visible from the surface. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we take dental radiographs routinely during dental cleanings to ensure that no disease is missed. Findings on dental radiographs frequently change the scope of care required, and without them, important problems would go undetected.
Dental Scaling
Scaling removes the calculus and plaque that have hardened onto the tooth surface and accumulated below the gum line. Calculus is the mineralized form of plaque and cannot be removed by brushing or dental chews once it has formed. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, scaling is performed with both ultrasonic scaling instruments and hand tools that allow thorough removal from all surfaces and from the sulcus below the gum line. Scaling below the gum line is where the most important work takes place. Bacteria living in the periodontal space cause progressive bone loss around the tooth root, and this process cannot be stopped without professional scaling.
Oral Health Assessment
Every dental procedure at Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital begins with a thorough oral health assessment. This includes probing each tooth to measure pocket depth, evaluating the gum tissue for recession, inflammation, and bleeding, assessing each tooth for mobility and surface damage, and reviewing dental radiograph findings. The assessment determines which teeth are healthy, which require monitoring, and which need intervention. We record findings in your pet's dental chart, which allows us to track changes over time and identify teeth that are deteriorating before they become painful. A complete oral health assessment is the foundation of every dental visit and informs all recommendations.
Dental Prophylactic Care
Dental prophylactic care refers to the steps taken between professional dental cleanings to slow the progression of plaque and tartar buildup. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we advise families on at-home dental care routines that are realistic and effective. Toothbrushing with a pet-safe toothpaste remains the most effective home care option when introduced gradually and consistently. We also discuss dental diets, water additives, and dental chews that carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal, which indicates evidence of efficacy. No home care product replaces professional cleaning, but consistent daily brushing can meaningfully extend the interval between professional procedures.
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Most dogs benefit from a professional dental cleaning once every 12 to 18 months, though this varies by breed, anatomy, and how consistently at-home dental care is performed. Brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs and pugs often need more frequent cleanings due to crowded dentition. A dental exam at your pet’s annual wellness visit gives us the information needed to make a timing recommendation specific to your dog.
Yes. Dental disease is even more common in cats than in dogs. Cats are also particularly prone to tooth resorption, a painful condition in which the tooth structure is gradually destroyed from within. Many cats with dental disease do not show obvious signs of pain because they continue eating despite significant discomfort. A dental exam under anesthetic, including intraoral radiographs, is the only reliable way to assess the true state of a cat’s dental health.
Anesthesia is required for safe, complete, and effective dental care in pets. Without it, it is impossible to scale below the gum line, which is where periodontal disease progresses. It is also impossible to take intraoral radiographs of all tooth roots, probe pocket depths accurately, or perform any extraction without causing significant stress and risk of injury. Anesthetic-free dental cleaning is only capable of removing surface buildup and provides no benefit below the gum line, where the most important disease occurs.
Dogs rarely vocalize dental pain, but signs to watch for include dropping food while eating, chewing on one side, reluctance to chew hard toys or kibble, pawing at the mouth, blood-tinged saliva, and visible swelling near the jaw or under an eye. Bad breath that worsens over time is also a sign of progressing dental disease. An annual dental exam is the best way to catch problems before they become painful.
Daily toothbrushing with a soft brush and pet-safe toothpaste is the most effective home option when introduced gradually, starting with brief gentle sessions and pairing them with positive experiences. Dental chews and water additives that carry the VOHC seal provide some additional benefit. We are happy to walk you through an at-home dental care routine that is manageable for your pet at your next visit.
Dental care is one of the most impactful things you can do for your pet’s comfort and long-term health. Call Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital at (604) 536-3131 to book a dental exam or cleaning. We are open seven days a week in South Surrey and welcome patients from White Rock and the surrounding area.