Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital of Solana Beach

Your pet’s dental care is as important as your own.  Just as in people, dental disease in pets can spread to other organs in the body, such as the heart, kidneys, and liver.  At Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital, our veterinarians attempt to perform the best dental examination possible for your dog or cat during every physical exam, though sometimes the best our vets can do will be limited by your dog’s or cat’s relative comfort to getting their teeth examined.  Still, based on our veterinarian’s vast experience, they can usually get a good idea of the degree of dental disease, if any, from these annual exams.

Having said that, it is only after having your dog or cat under anesthesia that our vets can take a detailed look at each tooth.  Are any loose?  Is there infection under the gums?  Exactly how much tarter has built up in the back molars?  These are all questions best answered while your pet is under anesthesia.

At Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital, all dental cleaning are performed with pets under anesthesia.  In other words, we do not offer an anesthesia-free cleaning.  While any anesthetic procedure is prone to certain risks, our doctors and nurses do everything possible to minimize those risks.  And occasionally, in some patients, our vets judge that the risk to anesthesia is too high when compared against the benefits of a dental cleaning.  The only way to know for sure is to ask the vet.

But if you are concerned about the risk of anesthesia to your pet, please consult with one of our veterinarians.  Further, you can read more about what we do to reduce risks from anesthesia.

Why don’t we offer anesthesia-free cleanings?  The primary reason has to do with its lack of effectiveness: During anesthesia-free cleanings, in general, only the visible surface of the teeth are cleaned.  Just as in people, tarter and disease builds up under the gums and, left untreated, leads to serious infections.  And unfortunately, reaching under the gums during non-anesthetic procedures for dogs and cats is either extraordinarily difficult or just impossible.

To get started on a program to ensure healthy teeth, begin with an annual visit for your dog or cat with a veterinarian.  In most cases, our patients’ teeth are in good shape, which means that the best, easiest, and cheapest solution involves nothing more than daily brushing for your pet.

Ultimately, we offer an array of services for the variety of dental issues many pets experience.  Additionally, we provide preventative care and cleanings, to include ultrasonic dental scaling, polishing, charting, and whole-mouth digital tooth radiography.  To top it off, our doctors perform oral surgery as indicated, as well as enamel restorations. Have any questions?  Contact us!

Dental Care Products

C.E.T. Chews

Available for both dogs and cats, C.E.T. dental chews keep your pet’s breath fresh and keep their teeth clean. They enhance & activate a naturally occurring oral defense mechanism, and they taste great! Your dog or cat will love them. Feline C.E.T. chews only come in one size, but be sure to get the right size for your dog, or they may not be as effective.

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kits

This toothpaste & toothbrush can be used for your dog or cat. The kit comes with a two-sided brush, poultry flavored toothpaste, and a finger brush as well. If your dog or cat is allergic to poultry, we also sell the toothpaste by itself in vanilla flavor.

Pro Dental Finger Brushes

For some pets and pet owners, using a finger brush, which slips on the finger like a thimble, can be easier than maneuvering a toothbrush. We sell them separately for your convenience.

C.E.T. Aquadent

Add a little bit of Aquadent to your pet’s drinking water to help them fight plaque and make their breath smell fresh.

Iams Tartar Treats

Your dog will love these and eat them as a treat! They’re double sided for ultimate scrubbing, and help clean their teeth while they enjoy a tasty treat!