An awake exam shows what is visible on the surface, while an anesthetized dental assessment shows what is happening under the gums and inside the jaw. We can spot tartar, inflamed gums, and broken teeth on an awake pet. What we can't do is safely slide a probe under the gumline of an alert dog or take radiographs of a cat that won't hold still with a sensor in its mouth. Anesthesia lets us examine every surface of every tooth, including the back molars most pets never let anyone see. That is why professional dental cleanings are done under anesthesia, and why anesthesia-free cleanings only polish what was already visible.

The most common signs of dental disease are bad breath, visible tartar, and red or bleeding gums. Others are easy to blame on age:

• Trouble chewing, dropping food, or favoring one side of the mouth
• Drooling, sometimes tinged with blood
• Loose, discolored, or fractured teeth
• Pawing at the face or rubbing the muzzle along the floor
• Swelling along the jaw or just below the eye
• Losing interest in hard food or chew toys

If you see facial swelling or a broken tooth with pink tissue showing in the center, call us sooner rather than later. Both usually mean an exposed nerve or infection.

We recommend an oral health evaluation at least once a year for most dogs and cats, with more frequent checks for pets prone to dental disease. Pets that often benefit from a closer schedule include:

• Small and toy breed dogs, whose teeth are crowded into a small jaw
• Flat-faced breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and Persian cats
• Senior dogs and cats
• Cats with a history of tooth resorption
• Any pet that has already had extractions or periodontal treatment

How often your pet needs a professional cleaning is a separate question,. Our veterinary dental care page covers cleaning schedules in more detail.

For most dogs and cats, modern anesthesia is routine and well tolerated, and the risk drops further when the plan is built for the individual pet. We review your pet's health history, age, and existing conditions, then build an anesthetic protocol around those details and the expected work. A senior cat with kidney concerns gets a different plan than a young, healthy retriever. During the procedure, your pet is monitored by an experienced anesthesia team, and recovery is watched closely until they're awake and comfortable. Age alone is rarely a good reason to leave painful teeth untreated.

If we find a problem, we build an individualized treatment plan from the exam findings and radiographs, and we talk with you about significant findings and our recommendations. Treatment may include:

• Professional cleaning and periodontal therapy for gum disease
• Surgical extraction of infected, fractured, or resorbing teeth
• Root canal therapy, vital pulp therapy, or crown lengthening when a damaged tooth can be saved

Because our team performs both routine and advanced dental procedures, many pets can be treated during the same anesthetic episode once you've agreed to the plan. That spares your pet a second round of anesthesia.

The cost depends on your pet's size, health, and what the exam reveals. An awake oral exam costs much less than an anesthetized assessment, which includes anesthesia, radiographs, and a professional cleaning. Treatment such as extractions adds to the total. We keep our pricing transparent, and if something we find changes the plan, we'll talk with you before going further. You can review general pricing on our surgical and dental services page. If you carry pet insurance, check with your provider about dental coverage before the visit.