PET DENTAL CARE
TOTAL WELLNESS STARTS WITH PET DENTAL CARE
More than 70% of pets show signs of periodontal disease by age 3. Help prevent pain and other health issues with dental cleanings at Lovet.
PET DENTAL SERVICES
For more than just a fresh smile.
From regular cleanings to specialized treatment, your local Lovet is fully equipped to handle a range of dental needs to keep your pet healthy inside and out.
Oral exam
An oral exam is the first step to determining a plan of care for your pet’s oral health. We look closely at your pet’s teeth, gums, tongue, lips, and cheeks to check for signs of oral issues, from periodontal disease to oral lesions or tumors. During an oral exam, we’ll also gently probe your pet’s teeth to check for sensitivity and inflammation.
Dental cleaning
Professional dental cleanings at Lovet involve a thorough scaling (removal) of plaque and tartar. To prepare for the cleaning, we perform imaging to ensure all present disease is identified and addressed. For your pet’s safety and comfort, all dental cleanings at Lovet are performed with anesthesia according to AVMA standards. A team member monitors your pet’s heart rate, oxygen levels, and other vitals for the entirety of the procedure, and provides dedicated post-op support after your pet wakes up.
Periodontal disease and tooth abscess
Our thorough dental cleanings help address periodontal disease by cleaning above and below the gumline, reducing inflammation, pain, and bleeding. In the case of infected teeth with or without abscess, we surgically extract the affected tooth to reduce risk and restore comfort to your pet.
Tooth fractures and extractions
Fractured, broken, loose, or damaged teeth are painful for your pet and have a higher rate of infection, so extraction is often recommended to restore comfort and overall well-being. In all extractions, we use dissolving stitches and enhanced pain management to maximize outcomes.
What goes into a dental exam at Lovet?
Visual check for plaque and tartar
Physical probing for sensitivity and inflammation
Close exam of the gums, tongue, and cheeks
Asking questions about behavior or symptoms
Determining plan of care (cleaning, extractions, etc.)
The key to your pet’s long-term health is their oral health.
Regular professional dental cleanings can help stop dental disease at the source — below the gumline where plaque and tartar can lurk undetected — keeping your pet healthy for the long term and avoiding complications like:
Kidney, liver, and heart disease
Tooth and bone loss
Pain and discomfort
Committed to anesthesia safety.
It’s normal to worry about your baby “going under”. That’s why we do everything we can to keep them safe and comfortable, including:
Efficient, expert cleanings to minimize time under anesthesia (and your time worrying!)
A dedicated tech monitoring your pet’s vitals at all times during the procedure
Monitored post-op recovery with heated kennels and lots of snuggles
Updates for you at every step
How periodontal disease develops
Dental disease in pets is evaluated in stages which progress over time and worsen in severity when left untreated.
Grade 0
Teeth and gums appear normal. At-home dental care and regular dental cleanings recommended to maintain oral health.
Grade 1
Redness of the gums and bad breath. No visible effect under the gumline or to the stability of the tooth.
Grade 2
Reddened gums and tartar. Infection and inflammation may be inside teeth. Bad breath and discomfort are common.
Grade 3
Gums show significant redness, bleeding, or recession. Tooth stability affected. Significant bad breath is common and pain is more likely.
Grade 4
Significant gum disease, heavy tartar, and irreversible damage to tooth structure. Bad breath, pain, and infection are common. Extractions often required.
Photos courtesy of Carefree Dentistry & Oral Surgery for Animals, Lovet's long-term training partner for pet dental care.
LOVET ESSENTIALS
Your pet’s dental cleaning is included with Lovet Essentials.¹
Meet the guess-free annual wellness plan that helps you safeguard your pet's oral health with one easy monthly payment.
LOVET PAY
Worry about your pet, not your bill.
We offer more ways to pay, including flexible financing, so your pet can get the care they need without the worries of a vet bill you may not be able to cover all at once.
¹All services must be used within one calendar year from date of purchase, and on one pet. Not valid for previous work and cannot be combined with other discounts or programs. 12-month initial term, opt-out of subsequent terms as desired. Cancellation subject to Terms and Conditions. Vaccine frequency is at the discretion and recommendation of the vet.
Frequently asked questions
Is dental disease common in cats and dogs?
Unfortunately, yes. Over 70% of cats and dogs show signs of periodontal disease by the age of 3.
How often should my pet get dental cleanings?
In general, our vets recommend at least one professional dental cleaning per year for cats and dogs as part of their overall annual primary care. We may recommend two cleanings per year depending on breed type, dental disease progression, or other factors.
How long do dental care appointments at Lovet usually last?
It depends on the level of care your pet needs. On average, a standard cleaning without extractions is 30 minutes to an hour. A dental appointment requiring extractions can range from one hour to three. Pre-anesthesia labwork, recovery, and other services during your pet’s appointment can also add time to the appointment, as well as any extremely urgent cases that may come in that require our attention. Your Lovet vet can advise you specifically on how long your pet’s cleaning will be after their wellness exam.
How do I prepare my pet for their dental care appointment?
During your pre-procedure wellness exam, your Lovet vet will give you detailed instructions for preparing your pet for anesthesia. Likely, these will include instructions to fast your pet — or refrain from feeding them for at least eight hours — which is usually why dental cleanings are scheduled after the initial wellness exam.
What happens during dental cleanings?
After you’ve dropped your pet off for their dental cleaning, we get to work preparing them for the procedure. We give them sedation, pain medication, then place IVs and do bloodwork. When we’re ready to start the cleaning, we’ll administer anesthesia for your pet’s comfort and safety. Then, our tech team will clean, scale, polish, and take radiographs of your pet’s teeth and check their gums and the presence of pockets. Our vet will step in to do a thorough exam to check for growths, lesions, or other concerns. We’ll always call you before proceeding to perform any extractions or other periodontal treatments as needed. When we’re done, we’ll wake up your pet and keep a close eye on them to make sure they recover well. Then, we’ll give you a call when your pet is ready to be picked up! If at any point our services deviate from the plan we made together during your pet’s wellness exam, we’ll give you a call to confirm that it’s okay with you.
Will my pet be sedated or put under anesthesia?
Your pet will be sedated initially to keep them calm and comfortable while we do pre-cleaning preparations like placing their IV and doing bloodwork. Sedation isn’t enough for pain management or safety during cleaning, scaling, and extractions, so we will place your pet under anesthesia for those procedures.
Why is anesthesia cleaning safer than anesthesia-free cleanings?
Anesthesia-free cleanings often don’t address plaque and tartar under the gumline, which can prolong symptoms and encourage infection. Anesthesia-free cleanings also mean your pet is awake and aware of the procedure — so they may react fearfully and unpredictably, even with sedation — which creates an unsafe environment for the veterinary team and your pet.
Are dental cleanings for dogs and cats dangerous?
Dental cleanings are a highly common, very safe procedure. Since all surgical procedures carry some amount of associated risk, we design our process around keeping your pet as safe and comfortable as possible. From running labs to ensure they’re healthy and ready for anesthesia to constant monitoring during and post-op, every step of your pet’s dental cleaning is tailored to their best outcomes and quickest recovery.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a chronic infection of gum tissue, caused by a buildup of plaque and bacteria on the teeth. It’s most easily identified by reddened, sensitive, inflamed, and/or bleeding gums. If left untreated, the infection can spread into the tissues of the teeth, causing tooth decay, or into your pet’s bloodstream where it can contribute to the development of heart, liver, or kidney disease.
Can dogs or cats get cavities?
Yes, though they're rare due to the low quantity of sugar in their diets. Cavities are caused when bacteria on a tooth eats sugar, which creates an acidic reaction that erodes enamel. Dogs and cats are much more commonly affected by tartar, which is what happens when plaque is left unaddressed.
Do I need a pre-op exam to book a dental appointment? How do I book a dental appointment?
Dental appointments can only be made by hospital staff after a pre-operative wellness exam is performed on your pet. To start the dental appointment process, make a wellness exam appointment (select “Routine Check-up") on our online portal or give your local Lovet a call.