Skip to content Dental disease is one of the most common and most underestimated health conditions affecting dogs and cats. By the age of three, the majority of pets show signs of periodontal disease, which is preventable with regular professional care and at-home maintenance. At Elgin Park Animal Hospital in South Surrey, our dental care services include professional cleaning, scaling, polishing, dental X-rays, and extractions, all performed under general anesthesia with continuous monitoring. We serve dogs and cats across South Surrey, White Rock, and the surrounding area. Call (604) 531-3394 to schedule your pet's dental visit.
Professional dental cleaning goes far beyond what brushing at home can achieve. Under anesthesia, we remove plaque and calculus from all tooth surfaces, including below the gumline where bacteria accumulate and cause the most damage. The cleaning process involves scaling to remove hardened deposits, followed by polishing to smooth tooth surfaces and reduce future buildup. Anesthesia allows a thorough, safe, and stress-free cleaning that is simply not possible in an awake pet. Annual or biennial professional cleanings, combined with daily at-home brushing, represent the best approach to long-term dental health.
Dental X-rays reveal what the eye cannot see: tooth root infections, bone loss, retained roots, unerupted teeth, and fractures below the gumline. Studies consistently show that veterinary dentists identify additional conditions in a significant proportion of patients when dental X-rays are taken. At Elgin Park Animal Hospital, dental X-rays are a standard part of every professional dental procedure. X-ray images guide our decisions about which teeth require extraction or additional attention, ensuring no painful or infected tooth is left behind.
When a tooth is severely diseased, fractured, or no longer salvageable, extraction is the most compassionate option. Many pet owners are surprised to find that their pet eats and behaves far better after a painful tooth is removed. Pets can live comfortably without certain teeth, and the relief from chronic oral pain is often immediate and significant. Extractions are performed under anesthesia with appropriate pain management before, during, and after the procedure. Post-operative care instructions are provided at discharge.
Scaling is the process of removing hardened calculus (tartar) from tooth surfaces using ultrasonic and hand scaling instruments. Calculus is mineralized plaque that cannot be removed by brushing and, if left in place, causes gum inflammation (gingivitis), gum recession, and bone loss around the tooth roots. Regular scaling prevents the progression of periodontal disease and protects your pet from the systemic effects of chronic oral infection, which can affect the heart, kidneys, and liver over time.
Following scaling, polishing smooths the microscopic scratches left on tooth surfaces. Smooth enamel is significantly more resistant to plaque adhesion than roughened surfaces. Polishing is not a cosmetic step. It is a protective one that extends the benefit of the cleaning and slows the rate of future tartar accumulation. At Elgin Park Animal Hospital, polishing is included as a standard step in every professional dental cleaning.
Dental prophylaxis refers to the full preventive dental package: professional cleaning, scaling, polishing, and oral health assessment performed before dental disease has progressed to a point requiring surgical intervention. Prophylactic dentals are the proactive approach to oral care. Pets who receive regular dental prophylaxis typically require fewer extractions and maintain healthier teeth and gums throughout their lives. We also review at-home care options at every dental visit, including tooth brushing technique, dental chews, and water additives.
Common signs of dental disease include visible brown or yellow buildup on the teeth, persistent bad breath, drooling, difficulty eating, pawing at the mouth, or reluctance to chew. Many pets show no outward signs even with significant dental disease, which is why we assess the mouth at every wellness visit. If your pet’s last professional cleaning was more than a year ago, it is a good time to book an exam. Call (604) 531-3394.
Yes. Anesthesia is required for a safe and thorough dental cleaning in dogs and cats. It allows us to scale below the gumline where disease begins, take dental X-rays, perform any necessary extractions, and manage your pet’s comfort throughout. Anesthesia-free dental cleaning is not a medically adequate substitute and does not address the areas of greatest concern. We take every precaution including pre-anesthetic bloodwork to minimize anesthetic risk.
Most dogs and cats benefit from a professional dental cleaning once every one to two years, combined with regular at-home brushing. Small breed dogs and brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and shih tzus often require more frequent cleanings because of crowded teeth and softer enamel. Your veterinarian will recommend a schedule based on your pet’s oral health at each examination.
Yes. The mouth is not isolated from the rest of the body. Bacteria from periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and contribute to conditions affecting the heart valves, kidneys, and liver over time. Managing dental health proactively is a genuine investment in your pet’s long-term wellbeing, not just their comfort. Regular professional cleanings reduce this risk significantly.
Schedule your pet's dental visit at Elgin Park Animal Hospital in South Surrey. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Call (604) 531-3394 or book online at elginparkvets.ca/make-an-appointment/.
