Pet dental care is one of the most overlooked aspects of preventive health, yet dental disease affects the majority of dogs and cats by age three. At Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic in Centennial, we provide comprehensive dental care for dogs and cats, including professional cleanings, digital dental radiographs, oral health assessments, and extractions when needed. All dental procedures are performed under general anesthetic with continuous monitoring to keep your pet safe and comfortable. Call us at (303) 779-1170 to schedule a dental exam for your pet.
Professional Dental Cleaning for Dogs and Cats
Professional dental cleaning, performed under general anesthetic, is the only way to remove calculus and address disease below the gum line. At Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic, every dental cleaning begins with a thorough oral exam and dental radiographs so we can assess the full extent of disease before any work begins. We scale and polish every tooth, including the surfaces and pockets below the gum line where plaque accumulates and bacteria cause the most damage. After the cleaning, we review the findings with you and provide guidance on at-home care to maintain oral health between visits.
Dental X-Rays and Oral Radiography
Approximately sixty percent of each tooth is located below the gum line and invisible to visual examination alone. Dental radiographs allow our team to assess root health, bone loss, tooth resorption in cats, retained root fragments, and other conditions that significantly affect your pet’s comfort. At Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic, dental radiographs are a standard part of every professional dental procedure. If we find a problem on radiograph that was not visible at the surface, we discuss the finding with you before proceeding with any additional work.
Oral Health Assessment
An oral health assessment at Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic evaluates every aspect of your pet’s mouth, including the teeth, gums, tongue, hard palate, soft palate, and surrounding tissues. We check for tartar accumulation, gum inflammation, loose teeth, oral masses, and bite alignment issues. Assessments are performed at annual wellness exams and at any appointment where dental concerns are raised. Regular assessments catch developing problems early, often before they cause visible signs of pain or discomfort in your pet.
Dental Extractions
Dental extractions are performed when a tooth is fractured, severely infected, resorbing, or causing pain that cannot be managed conservatively. At Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic, extractions are carried out using surgical technique under general anesthetic, with dental radiographs confirming complete root removal before the socket is closed. Post-operative pain management is provided at discharge, and most pets recover comfortably within a few days. Pets whose dental disease is managed promptly typically eat with much greater comfort and enthusiasm after removing the source of pain.
Scaling and Polishing
Scaling removes hardened calculus from tooth surfaces using ultrasonic and hand instruments. Polishing follows to smooth the enamel surface and reduce the adhesion of future plaque accumulation. Together, scaling and polishing address the visible portion of dental disease and prepare tooth surfaces for long-term maintenance. At Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic, both steps are part of every professional dental cleaning. We also discuss at-home brushing and dental hygiene products that are appropriate for your pet’s specific situation.
Dental Prophylaxis and Prevention
Dental prophylaxis refers to preventive dental care aimed at maintaining oral health between professional cleanings. At Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic, we advise on daily toothbrushing as the most effective home care measure, along with dental chews, water additives, and diets that support oral health. We tailor our recommendations to your pet’s tolerance and your schedule, because the best dental care routine is one you can maintain consistently. Pets on a regular home care and professional cleaning schedule typically have lower levels of dental disease as they age.
Dental Surgery
Advanced dental conditions may require surgical intervention beyond standard cleaning and extraction procedures. Surgical dental cases at Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic include the management of severe periodontal disease, removal of complex retained roots, and assessment of oral masses requiring biopsy and histopathology. For cases requiring advanced oral surgical techniques beyond our scope, we provide referrals to board-certified veterinary dentists. Please see our Surgical Services page for information on procedures that overlap between dental and soft tissue surgery.
How often does my dog need a professional dental cleaning?
Most dogs benefit from a professional dental cleaning once a year. Smaller breeds, brachycephalic breeds, and dogs prone to dental disease may need more frequent cleanings. The frequency is based on what we find at each exam and how quickly calculus accumulates between visits. Regular at-home brushing can meaningfully extend the time between professional procedures.
My cat stopped eating. Could it be a dental problem?
Yes. Dental pain is a common and often overlooked reason for reduced appetite in cats. Tooth resorption, a condition in which the tooth structure breaks down from the inside, is extremely common in cats and is painful. Cats rarely show obvious signs of mouth pain, so reduced appetite or a change in how they chew can be the only sign. We recommend a full oral health assessment and dental radiographs to evaluate what is happening below the gum line.
Is my pet safe under anesthesia for a dental cleaning?
Anesthesia carries inherent risk, but modern anesthetic protocols and continuous monitoring make dental procedures safe for the large majority of healthy dogs and cats. We use pre-anesthetic bloodwork to screen for hidden conditions, individualize the anesthetic plan for each patient, and monitor vital signs throughout the procedure. We are happy to discuss your pet’s specific risk profile at the pre-dental consultation.
What does dental disease look like in cats?
Dental disease in cats may appear as brown or yellow calculus on the teeth, red or inflamed gum tissue, drooling, pawing at the mouth, reduced interest in food, or weight loss. Tooth resorption causes lesions at or below the gum line that are often invisible without dental radiographs. Annual oral health assessments are the most reliable way to catch dental disease in cats before it causes significant pain.
Can I brush my dog's teeth at home?
Yes, and daily brushing is the single most effective at-home measure for maintaining oral health. Use a toothbrush designed for dogs and a pet-safe toothpaste, never human toothpaste. Start gradually, working on one section of the mouth at a time and pairing the experience with positive reinforcement. Our team at Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic is happy to demonstrate technique at your next visit.
Does Cherry Knolls Vet perform dental radiographs?
Yes. Digital dental radiographs are a standard part of every professional dental procedure at Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic. We take radiographs of the full mouth before beginning any extractions so we have a complete picture of root and bone health. Radiographs frequently reveal disease that is invisible on visual exam, and they guide every extraction we perform.
Keep your dog or cat healthy year-round with preventive care from Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic in Centennial
