Dentistry & Oral Health

Oral health is a vital part of your pet’s overall wellbeing.

Dental disease is one of the most common health conditions in dogs and cats, and when left untreated, it can cause pain, infection, and impact other organs such as the heart and kidneys. At Woodland Veterinary Clinic, we focus on prevention, early detection, and effective treatment of dental concerns.

Our services include:

Thorough Oral Examinations

At every appropriate visit, we perform a detailed oral examination to assess your pet’s teeth, gums, and mouth. This allows us to identify early signs of dental disease, inflammation, fractures, or other oral concerns before they become more serious.

Home Dental Care Guidance

Good dental health starts at home. We’ll discuss practical, realistic options to help maintain your pet’s oral hygiene, including:

  • Tooth brushing techniques and frequency

  • Dental wipes and rinses

  • Dental treats and chews

  • Prescription dental diets designed to reduce plaque and tartar

We tailor recommendations to suit your pet’s age, temperament, and oral health needs.

Complete Oral Health Assessment & Treatment (COHATs)

When dental disease or oral discomfort is present, we may recommend a Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) performed under general anesthetic. This allows us to:

  • Fully examine all teeth and structures below the gumline with complete dental radiographs and probing

  • Perform professional dental cleaning and polishing

  • Treat periodontal disease

  • Perform dental extractions if necessary

General anesthesia ensures your pet’s comfort and allows for a thorough and safe dental assessment and treatment.

Dental X-Ray

Many dental problems hide beneath the gumline and can’t be seen during a routine exam. At Woodland Veterinary Clinic, we perform full-mouth dental X-rays with every Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) to ensure your pet’s teeth and gums are truly healthy.

Dental X-rays help detect:

  • Tooth root infections and abscesses

  • Bone loss from periodontal disease

  • Fractured or damaged teeth

Our digital radiography (DR) system provides clear, detailed images with minimal radiation exposure, allowing us to assess your pet’s oral health safely and effectively.

By combining thorough oral exams with X-rays, we can catch hidden problems early, plan precise treatments, and keep your pet comfortable and healthy.

Scaling & Polishing

Dental scaling and polishing remove plaque and tartar that can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. 

At Woodland Veterinary Clinic, we use modern ultrasonic scaling to gently and effectively clean teeth while minimizing damage to enamel. Scaling beneath the gumline (subgingival scaling) is also performed to reverse early stages of gingivitis.

Dental scaling and polishing are performed as part of a Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) under general anesthetic to ensure your pet’s comfort and safety.

Extraction & Oral Surgery

When dental disease or oral injury causes pain or infection, tooth extraction or oral surgery may be the best option to restore your pet’s comfort and health. At Woodland Veterinary Clinic, we provide expert extractions and oral surgical care with a strong focus on safety, comfort, and effective pain management. 

All extractions and oral surgeries are performed during a Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) under general anesthetic. This allows for a thorough examination, precise treatment, and a stress-free experience for your pet.

Ongoing Oral Health Support

Dental care is not a one-time event. We’ll help you create an ongoing oral health plan to maintain comfort, prevent disease progression, and support your pet’s long-term health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQs or reach out any time.

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  • Extractions are recommended when a tooth is painful, infected, broken, or too damaged to be saved. Common reasons include advanced periodontal disease, tooth fractures, abscesses, or severe infection. Removing diseased teeth helps relieve pain and prevent ongoing infection.

  • Your pet’s comfort is our priority. Dental extractions are performed under general anesthetic with multimodal pain management, including local anesthesia and medications before, during, and after surgery. Most pets feel much better once painful teeth are removed.

    At every visit, our team takes the time to walk you through recommended care and associated fees, ensuring you feel informed and confident in each decision. If you have any additional questions regarding our services, our team is always happy to help - please reach out at (604) 631-5897 or info@woodlandvet.ca. 

  • General anaesthesia allows us to perform dental procedures safely and thoroughly without stress or discomfort for your pet. A thorough pre-anaesthetic examination and recommended bloodwork help us tailor your pet’s anaesthetic plan to minimise risk.

  • Yes. Most pets adapt very well, even after multiple extractions. Pets often eat more comfortably once painful teeth are removed, and we’ll provide feeding recommendations during recovery if needed.

  • Recovery is usually smooth and uneventful. Most pets are comfortable without medications within a few days, with gums typically healing within 10–14 days. We provide clear aftercare instructions and appropriate pain relief to support healing, and include a complimentary post-extraction recheck at 14 days.

  • Once your pet is safely under anaesthesia, we perform a thorough oral examination, including probing and full-mouth dental X-rays, to assess every tooth above and below the gumline. Only teeth that are diseased, painful, or non-viable are recommended for extraction.

  • Yes, dental disease can still affect remaining teeth. Ongoing dental care, including home oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, is essential to maintain long-term oral health.

  • Signs include bad breath, red or bleeding gums, increased drooling, difficulty eating, pawing at the mouth, or changes in behaviour. If you notice any of these, we recommend scheduling a dental exam.

  • Some dental issues can only be fully assessed once your pet is under anesthesia, after a thorough exam with probing and dental X-rays. The treatment plan provides a range to account for potential findings, including possible extractions, based on the doctor’s best estimation. If anything unexpected is discovered outside of the planned treatment, we will contact you before proceeding.