Skip to content Dental disease is one of the most common health problems affecting dogs and cats, and most pets show signs of dental disease by the time they are three years old. At Lougheed Animal Hospital in Mission, BC, we provide comprehensive dental care that goes beyond surface cleaning to address the full health of your pet’s mouth. Dental health directly affects your pet’s comfort, ability to eat, and overall well-being. We have been providing pet dental care in Mission since 2004. Call (604) 826-7066 to schedule your pet’s dental exam.
A professional dental cleaning removes the plaque and tartar buildup that cannot be addressed with brushing at home. At Lougheed Animal Hospital, dental cleanings are performed under general anesthetic to allow a thorough assessment and cleaning of every tooth surface, including below the gumline where most disease develops. We scale each tooth to remove buildup, probe the gum pockets for signs of disease, and polish the surface to slow future plaque accumulation. Home brushing cannot replicate a professional dental cleaning, and regular professional care is necessary to prevent progressive periodontal disease. We will recommend a cleaning schedule based on your pet’s breed, age, and oral health findings.
When a tooth is fractured, severely diseased, or causing pain, extraction is often the most appropriate path to restoring your pet’s comfort. Dental disease left unchecked can affect the root, surrounding bone, and the tissues beneath, making extraction necessary to resolve the underlying problem. At Lougheed Animal Hospital, extractions are performed under general anesthetic with local nerve blocks to ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible during and after the procedure. Most pets recover quickly and resume eating normally within a few days. Fractured or loose teeth can cause significant pain that pets often mask, which is why regular oral assessments are important.
Dental X-rays reveal what cannot be seen during a visual examination. The roots of your pet’s teeth, the surrounding bone, and the health of the tissue below the gumline all become visible with dental radiographs. This allows our veterinarians to identify abscesses, bone loss, retained root tips, unerupted teeth, and early-stage disease that would otherwise go undetected until it becomes more serious. We include dental X-rays as part of comprehensive dental procedures at Lougheed Animal Hospital. Dental radiography is considered the standard of care and significantly improves our ability to address your pet’s oral health completely.
An oral health assessment is a structured evaluation of your pet’s mouth conducted as part of a wellness exam or dedicated dental appointment. We examine the teeth for fractures, discoloration, and wear; assess the gums for swelling, recession, or bleeding; evaluate the bite and jaw alignment; and check for masses or abnormalities in the soft tissues of the mouth. The findings from an oral health assessment guide our recommendations for professional cleaning, X-rays, or extraction. Regular oral assessments allow us to track changes over time and address concerns before they become more significant health problems for your pet.
Dental scaling removes mineralized tartar from the tooth surface using specialized instruments. Scaling is performed both above and below the gumline to address the plaque that accumulates in the gum pockets where bacteria thrive and periodontal disease begins. Following scaling, the tooth surface is polished to remove microscopic scratches left by the scaling process and to slow the reattachment of plaque. Scaling and polishing together form the foundation of a professional dental cleaning. Without polishing after scaling, the roughened tooth surface actually accumulates new plaque more quickly. Both steps are included in every dental cleaning at Lougheed Animal Hospital.
Dental prophylactic care refers to the preventive steps taken to slow the progression of dental disease between professional cleanings. At Lougheed Animal Hospital, we can advise you on at-home care options suited to your pet, including brushing with pet-safe toothpaste, dental rinses, chews, and water additives with clinical evidence of effectiveness. No single at-home product replaces professional cleaning, but consistent home care can meaningfully extend the interval between procedures and reduce the severity of buildup. We will discuss which products are appropriate for your pet’s specific situation and how to introduce them at home.
Dental surgical procedures including complex extractions and oral mass removal are performed at Lougheed Animal Hospital as part of our comprehensive dental care services. All dental surgical procedures are performed under general anesthetic with appropriate pain management.
Your pet’s mouth matters. Call Lougheed Animal Hospital at (604) 826-7066 or book online to schedule a dental exam or professional cleaning for your dog or cat in Mission, BC.
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Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health!
We are closed on Statutory Holidays.
For after-hours emergencies, contact Canada West Veterinary Specialists — 604-473-4882.
