Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit
Low-cost Pet Dental Care
Dental disease is one of the most common health issues we see at Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, and it often goes unnoticed until it becomes painful or severe. According to the American Veterinary Dental Association, by age three most dogs and cats already show signs of periodontal disease. This common condition, caused by plaque and tartar buildup, can lead to systemic issues if left untreated. Luckily, periodontal disease can be effectively managed with the right dental care.
Understanding that your pet’s health is a priority, at Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit we align our services with your needs, offering transparent pricing and multiple accessible locations so every pet can get the care they need.
Our dental services are designed to address plaque, tartar buildup, periodontal disease, painful teeth, and other common oral health concerns. Request a free estimate, review your options, and book your pet’s dental appointment at the Arizona clinic closest to you.
Warning Signs of Dental Disease:
- Bad breath – one of the first signs of dental disease.
- A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line.
- Visible pus or discharge
- Red and swollen gums.
- Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when the mouth or gums are touched.
- Decreased appetite or diffculty eating.
- Drooling
- Loose or missing teeth.
- Pawing at the mouth
NOTE: Your pet does not need to show any of these signs to be suffering from dental disease.
Our doctors are excellent at performing low-cost dental cleanings and discussing preventative dental care. Call today for a quote on having your pet’s teeth cleaned!
Dental Care At Home
For this reason we recommend Petsmile® Professional Pet Toothpaste. Its proprietary
formula reduces plaque and tartar without brushing. Simply apply a pea size amount to your
pets gum, and their mouth does the rest! Offered in multiple treat-like flavors that are safe for
both dogs and cats, it’s available at any of our 7 locations. Ask your technician for more
information.
Incorporating dental care into your at-home routine is one of the best things you can do to support your pets overall health! Brushing is the most effective form of preventative maintenance. However, at Dr. Kelly’s we are aware that’s not possible for every pet and parent. For this reason we recommend Petsmile® Professional Pet Toothpaste. Its proprietary formula reduces plaque and tartar without brushing. Simply apply a pea size amount to your pets gum, and their mouth does the rest! Offered in multiple treat-like flavors that are safe for both dogs and cats, it’s available at any of our 7 locations. Ask your technician for more information.
Other recommendations include:
- Treat your buddy with dental chews and toys - The mechanical act of chewing can help remove plaque from your pup’s teeth.
- Examine your pet’s diet - Commercial pet foods that are rich in starch can be bad for teeth, and sticky canned foods can promote dental plaque.
- Visit the Veterinary Oral Health Council Website (VOHC.org) - for more tips, tricks, and product recommendations.
Grading Dental Disease
What happens during a professional dental cleaning visit for my dog at our Arizona and Denver clinics??
A dental cleaning visit will include a thorough dental examination, teeth cleaning, and polishing to remove the tartar and periodontal disease-causing plaque. This is done while your dog is under general anesthesia. Once anesthetized, your veterinarian with the help of veterinary assistants will thoroughly examine the mouth, noting abnormalities in the medical record. A dental probe will be used to evaluate gum bleeding and periodontal pockets where food can accumulate and decay if not properly cared for.
When periodontal disease is advanced, it may not be possible to save the badly affected teeth, which may need to be extracted either during the procedure.
Since it can be difficult to predict the extent of dental disease in advance of the procedure, the veterinarian or staff will contact you to discuss any additional treatment that may be necessary.
Dental disease in pets is generally placed into one of four grades from mild to severe.
Stages of Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats
Dental disease is typically grouped into stages ranging from mild plaque buildup to severe periodontal disease with pain, infection, and tooth loss. Understanding these stages helps pet owners know when a routine cleaning may still be enough and when extractions or more advanced treatment may be needed.
GRADE 1
Soft plaque has built up on the surface of the teeth. A small amount of tartar is also present, but it has not yet reached the gumline. Tartar forms when minerals from saliva harden within the plaque buildup. Bacteria have grown and begun invading the gum tissue around the teeth, causing early gingivitis and red, inflamed gums. A Grade 1 condition is often reversible with a professional cleaning and a regular home dental routine.
GRADE 2
Mild to moderate tartar and gingivitis are present on multiple teeth. This buildup has started acting as a wedge, pushing the gums away from the teeth, causing food, bacteria, and debris to accumulate there. The gums are red, swollen, painful, and may bleed easily when touched. Some fractured teeth or teeth with heavy bone loss may need to be extracted. At this stage, proper dental care is crucial to reverse the progress of dental disease.
GRADE 3
Heavy tartar buildup and moderate to advanced periodontal disease are present on multiple teeth. The gums have pulled away further from the teeth, creating deeper pockets where bacteria, food debris, and infection have accumulated. The gums appear bright red, inflamed, and may bleed easily when touched. Bone loss is present around some teeth, and fractured teeth or teeth with significant bone loss may need to be extracted. Oral pain and discomfort are likely at this stage. At this stage, dental disease is advanced and can begin affecting overall health if left untreated. Professional dental care is strongly recommended to relieve discomfort, control infection, and preserve as many healthy teeth as possible.
GRADE 4
Typical Questions:
A dental cleaning visit includes a comprehensive oral exam and professional teeth cleaning using an ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. The teeth are then polished to smooth the surface, helping reduce future plaque buildup. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort.
Once anesthetized, the veterinarian, assisted by trained staff, will thoroughly examine the mouth and document any findings. A dental probe is used to assess gum health, including checking for bleeding and measuring periodontal pockets where bacteria and debris can accumulate. In cases of advanced periodontal disease, some teeth may be too compromised to save and may require extraction during the procedure.
Because the full extent of dental disease isn’t always visible beforehand, our team will contact you if additional treatment is recommended and review next steps with you before proceeding.
All our dental surgery estimates include: Estimated extraction costs based on your pets age and breed condition as described to us Pre-anesthetic exam and evaluation Anesthesia, ultrasonic scaling, oral charting, dental probe, clean and fluoride polish, & pain injection.
We may also recommend: Pre-operative bloodwork Dental X-Rays Petsmile® Professional Toothpaste
Please note: For pets over 8 we will require pre-operative bloodwork and an IV catheter. Dental X-Rays may be required to fully assess your pets teeth depending on age, breed and grade of dental disease.
NO – We cannot perform a proper quality procedure without removing the diseased areas as needed. You would not ask us to remove part of a cancerous mass while letting some of mass remain. That being said, we have both your pet and your finances in mind and if there are some lightly compromised teeth with decent functionality remaining the doctor may elect to save these teeth for the pets greater benefit ultimately creating cost savings for you.
Every pet is unique, but most adult dogs & cats should be seen by their veterinarian at least once per year. Dental plaque and tartar can accumulate for reasons such as individual mouth chemistry and immunity, facial and oral structure, tooth crowding and breed predispositions. Dental disease is highly individualized and an animal may need dental cleanings on a more routine basis and or may only require a dental cleaning every few years. We will send you a yearly reminder after your pet’s dental procedure to schedule the next treatment.
Consistent at-home dental care helps maintain your pet’s oral health and extend the time between professional cleanings. We recommend Petsmile® Professional Pet Toothpaste because it is easy to use - simply apply it to the gumline and let their mouth do the rest. For pets that do not tolerate brushing, a no-brush formula makes daily dental care more manageable and easier to maintain. Pick some up during your next dental appointment.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Your dog or cat should be fully grown and healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. Two years is the ideal age for the first cleaning, particularly for small breeds. Reach out and we can discuss your specific pet and needs.
According to the American Veterinary Dental College, most dogs and cats show signs of dental disease by the age of three. If left unchecked, common dental problems such as persistent bad breath can lead to severe dental disease.
Dr. Kelly’s Tips for proper dental health:
Many pet parents, particularly those with stubborn or independent fur-babies, will balk at this suggestion. The key is to start brushing as soon as “pawssible” using a finger brush and a tasty doggy toothpaste. Some toothpaste varieties come in yummy flavors like chicken, fish and beef.
Brushing your pet’s teeth can go a long way toward preventing dental disease. Some pets resist brushing, but most eventually accept it, especially if you start a brushing routine when your pet is young (10 weeks to 10 months). Aim at brushing your pet’s teeth once a day or at least 3 times a week.
Step 1: Choose a pet tooth paste your pet likes. Please do not use human tooth paste or tooth brushes (Human toothpaste may be toxic in pets if ingested, and human toothbrushes are too big usually for their mouths). Place a small amount of toothpaste on your finger, and offer it to your pet daily for several days as a reward or treat. This will condition your pet to view brushing as fun and rewarding. Once your pet accepts toothpaste as a reward, use your index finger to stimulate the brushing motion of a toothbrush, while praising the pet and giving the daily dose of flavored toothpaste.
Step 2: In five to seven days introduce a soft bristled pet toothbrush. Apply a small bit of the flavored pet toothpaste at the beginning and end to reinforce the conditioned behavior. Position the brush at a 45-degree angle to the TEETH. Make small circular motions beginning at the back of YOUR pet’s teeth moving forward and around to the other side. Eight to ten strokes are sufficient for any given area.
Treat your buddy with dental chews and toys. The act of chewing removes plaque from your pup’s teeth. When purchasing a dental chew, scan the ingredients list for artificial colors and other potentially harmful ingredients. We recommend steering clear of rawhide bones, which are difficult for dogs to digest and present a choking hazard.
Examine your dog’s diet. Commercial dog foods that are rich in starch can be bad for your buddy’s teeth — and their tummy. Also, if you’re going to treat your dog to table food, stick with crunchy, nutrient-rich foods like raw carrots, green beans, and celery. (In fact, celery acts as a doggy breath freshener!) Be sure any table treats are unseasoned.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? CALL US TODAY TO DISCUSS YOUR PETS TEETH!
