Pet dental care at McCurdy Animal Hospital in Kelowna plays a central role in your dog or cat's overall health. Dental disease is one of the most common conditions seen in veterinary practice, affecting the majority of dogs and cats by the time they reach three years of age. Left unaddressed, oral disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, and systemic health effects. Our team offers comprehensive dental services including professional cleaning, X-rays, scaling, polishing, and extractions. We approach every dental procedure with careful planning, thorough communication, and attentive post-procedure monitoring.
Professional dental cleaning at McCurdy Animal Hospital involves a thorough removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum line, both above and below the gumline where bacteria accumulate. The procedure is performed under anesthetic so we can safely access all tooth surfaces and examine the mouth fully. We assess gum health, check for pocketing around teeth, and evaluate each tooth individually during the cleaning. After cleaning, we discuss findings with you, outline any follow-up care needed, and provide guidance on home dental hygiene to slow the return of buildup.
Tooth extractions become necessary when a tooth is fractured, severely diseased, or causing pain that cannot be resolved through other means. Retained baby teeth in puppies and kittens are also a common reason for extraction, as they can trap food and crowd emerging adult teeth. We assess extraction candidates carefully through oral examination and dental X-rays before proceeding. Extractions are performed under anesthetic, and we provide pain management to support comfort during recovery. Most pets recover quickly and return to normal eating habits within a few days.
Dental X-rays allow our team to see what is happening beneath the gumline, an area that cannot be fully evaluated through visual examination alone. Many dental problems, including root infections, bone loss, and resorptive lesions in cats, develop below the visible surface. X-rays help us make more accurate assessments and avoid missing significant disease that would otherwise go undetected. We recommend dental X-rays as part of every professional dental procedure and will review the images with you, explaining any findings in clear terms.
Dental scaling removes accumulated tartar from the tooth surface and below the gumline using specialized instruments. Tartar is a hardened buildup of plaque that cannot be removed with brushing alone and contributes to gum inflammation, bad breath, and progressive periodontal disease when left in place. Scaling is a core part of every professional dental cleaning we perform. We use both hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers to ensure thorough removal, working carefully around each tooth to protect the gum tissue throughout the process.
Dental polishing follows scaling as an important final step in every professional dental cleaning. Polishing smooths the tooth surfaces that have been cleaned, removing microscopic scratches and making it harder for new plaque to accumulate quickly. A smooth, polished surface slows the return of tartar buildup and supports healthier gums between dental visits. We use a veterinary-grade polishing compound and take time to reach every tooth surface during the procedure.
An oral health assessment evaluates the current state of your pet's mouth, including gum health, tooth integrity, bite alignment, and any areas of concern. Assessments may be done as part of a routine wellness visit or as a standalone examination when dental concerns are suspected. We check for periodontal pocketing, loose or fractured teeth, oral masses, and signs of infection. The results of the assessment guide the dental care plan and determine whether a professional cleaning or additional procedures are recommended.
Complex dental procedures including treatment of advanced periodontal disease, jaw fractures, or oral masses may require surgical intervention. We assess these cases thoroughly before proceeding, using dental X-rays and clinical evaluation to understand the full extent of the problem. Dental surgery is performed under anesthetic with appropriate pain management and monitoring. We discuss the procedure, expected outcomes, and recovery needs fully before moving forward. For highly complex cases, we may discuss referral to a veterinary dental specialist.
Most dogs and cats benefit from a professional dental cleaning once a year, though the frequency depends on your pet’s individual rate of plaque and tartar accumulation, diet, and home dental hygiene habits. Smaller breeds and certain cats may need more frequent cleanings. We assess your pet’s dental health at every wellness exam and will let you know when a professional cleaning is recommended. Call (778) 484-9446 to book an assessment.
Anesthetic is required to safely and thoroughly clean all tooth surfaces, including below the gumline, and to take dental X-rays. It also allows us to probe for gum disease, check for fractured teeth, and address any painful areas without causing stress or discomfort. Anesthetic-free dental cleaning misses critical areas of disease and is not a safe or effective alternative. We monitor your pet continuously throughout the procedure to ensure their safety.
Signs of dental disease include bad breath, visible tartar buildup, red or bleeding gums, pawing at the mouth, difficulty eating, drooling, and reluctance to chew hard food or toys. Some pets do not show obvious signs even with significant dental disease, which is why routine oral exams are important. Contact McCurdy Animal Hospital at (778) 484-9446 if you notice any of these signs in your pet.
Yes, and daily brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste is one of the best things you can do to slow the buildup of plaque between professional cleanings. Start with very short sessions and pair the process with positive reinforcement. Use a soft-bristled brush or finger brush and never use human toothpaste, which contains ingredients that are harmful to pets. We are happy to demonstrate technique at your next visit.
Resorptive lesions, sometimes called feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions, are a painful condition where the tooth structure breaks down from the inside out. They are very common in cats and often cannot be seen without dental X-rays. Affected teeth cause significant pain and typically require extraction. Many cats with resorptive lesions show no obvious signs until the condition is advanced. Regular dental X-rays during professional cleanings are the most reliable way to detect them early.
Book a dental exam for your dog or cat at McCurdy Animal Hospital in Kelowna. Regular professional dental care supports your pet's overall health and comfort. Call (778) 484-9446 or book online at mahvet.ca/book-an-appointment/.
