Dental Hygiene is an important part of your pet’s preventative health. Dental tartar and plaque may lead to gum disease, bad breath and possible loss of teeth. More importantly, your pet’s tartar and plaque can be linked to more serious problems, such as liver and heart disease. Routine dental care may save more than your pet's smile, therefore, we recommend regular pet dental cleaning with a physical exam at Westlake Village Animal Hospital. Westlake Village Animal Hospital's dedicated dental suite is equipped with a built-in wet table, ultrasound scaler/dental unit and a digital dental x-ray machine.

     Non-anesthetic dentals are also available for qualified patients and recommended twice yearly.

How often should I get my pet’s teeth cleaned?
Like humans, pets need their teeth cleaned regularly. Pets develop bacteria on their teeth called plaque. Plaque over time mineralizes into tarter. Then as more tarter accumulates on your pet’s teeth, it pushes up along the pet’s gum line causing the gums to become red and inflamed, called gingivitis. This can be extremely painful for your pet. Left untreated, the roots of the teeth may become infected and need to be extracted. Additionally, bacteria can shed from the gums into the blood stream and start adversely affecting your pet’s organs. This can lead to many other diseases that can be avoided by routine dental care. Every pet builds plaque at different rates, so while one pet may need yearly dental cleanings, another might need it more or less frequently. There are signs that you can watch for to determine if your pet is experiencing dental disease. If your pet is drooling excessively, starting to show reluctance to eat or groom themselves, has foul breath, or even blood from the mouth, it is time to have their mouth examined. The best way to prevent dental disease is for your pet to have regular bi-annual physical examinations where our veterinarians can evaluate your pet’s dental health and provide you with a tailor made dental plan.

• Brush your pet's teeth every day - Daily brushing with a soft bristle brush made for cats or dogs will keep your pet’s teeth clean. Human toothpaste should never be used for your pet.
• Make sure your pet is getting their bi-annual Physical Exam - When one of our veterinarians does their “Nose to Toes” exam, they will check your pet’s teeth to help develop a dental program specific to their needs.