Cat Dentistry in Scarborough
Professional cat dental care at East Side Animal Hospital. Our veterinary team provides dental exams, dental cleanings, oral health assessment, and treatment recommendations to help protect your cat’s teeth, gums, and overall health.
Why Cat Dental Care Is Important
Dental disease is very common in cats and can cause bad breath, tartar buildup, gingivitis, oral pain, tooth resorption, infection, and difficulty eating.
Many cats hide signs of oral pain, so dental disease may become advanced before obvious symptoms appear. Regular veterinary dental care helps detect problems early and supports long-term comfort.
At East Side Animal Hospital, we focus on thorough oral assessment, safe anesthesia when needed, dental scaling, polishing, pain control, and clear home-care guidance.
Signs Your Cat May Need Dental Care
Cats often hide oral pain, so subtle changes may be important signs of dental disease.
Visible Dental Disease
- Bad breath
- Yellow or brown tartar
- Red or bleeding gums
- Loose or damaged teeth
Behaviour Changes
- Dropping food while eating
- Reduced appetite
- Pawing at the mouth
- Preference for soft food
Advanced Concerns
- Excessive drooling
- Facial swelling
- Weight loss
- Pain when mouth is touched
Our Cat Dental Services Include
We provide complete veterinary dental care designed for comfort, safety, and long-term oral health.
Oral Examination
A veterinarian examines your cat’s teeth, gums, oral tissues, bite alignment, and visible dental disease.
Dental Cleaning
Professional scaling helps remove plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces and below the gumline.
Dental Polishing
Polishing smooths tooth surfaces after scaling and helps reduce future plaque attachment.
Dental X-Rays If Recommended
Dental radiographs may be recommended to evaluate tooth roots, bone loss, infection, or hidden disease.
Tooth Extractions If Needed
Painful, damaged, resorptive, infected, or loose teeth may require extraction for comfort and infection control.
Pain Management
Pain control is provided when needed to support comfort before, during, and after dental procedures.
Common Cat Dental Problems
Cats may develop several types of dental disease that affect comfort and quality of life.
| Dental Condition | Common Findings |
|---|---|
| Gingivitis | Red, inflamed gums with discomfort and early oral disease. |
| Periodontal Disease | Tartar buildup, gum recession, infection, tooth instability, and oral pain. |
| Tooth Resorption | Painful tooth damage commonly seen in cats, often requiring extraction. |
| Broken or Damaged Teeth | Fractured teeth may expose nerves and lead to infection or pain. |
| Ongoing Prevention | Routine exams, dental cleanings, brushing, dental diets, and home oral care. |
Preparing Your Cat for Dental Cleaning
Before a dental procedure, our team will provide instructions about fasting, arrival time, medications, and any recommended pre-anesthetic testing.
Because a complete dental cleaning requires cleaning below the gumline, anesthesia is commonly needed for safety, comfort, and proper oral assessment.
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork may be recommended to check organ function and identify hidden health concerns before anesthesia.
After Dental Cleaning & Home Care
Home care helps maintain dental results and slow plaque and tartar buildup after professional cleaning.
Tooth Brushing
Regular brushing with cat-safe toothpaste is one of the best ways to reduce plaque buildup.
Dental Diets & Treats
Veterinary dental diets and approved dental treats may help support oral hygiene between visits.
Routine Rechecks
Dental rechecks and wellness exams help monitor gum health, tartar buildup, and oral comfort.
Why Choose East Side Animal Hospital
Experienced Veterinary Team
Compassionate dental care from a team focused on feline comfort, safety, and oral health.
Complete Dental Assessment
Thorough oral exams, dental cleaning, polishing, treatment planning, and home-care guidance.
Preventive Health Focus
Dental care integrated with wellness exams, vaccines, parasite prevention, nutrition, and senior cat care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my cat needs dental cleaning?
Bad breath, tartar, red gums, drooling, chewing changes, reduced appetite, or mouth discomfort are common signs. A veterinarian can assess the mouth and recommend the right plan.
Does cat dental cleaning require anesthesia?
A complete professional dental cleaning usually requires anesthesia so the teeth can be cleaned safely and thoroughly above and below the gumline.
What is tooth resorption in cats?
Tooth resorption is a painful dental condition where the tooth structure breaks down over time. It is common in cats and may require extraction.
How often should cats have dental cleanings?
Frequency depends on age, tartar buildup, gum health, home care, and previous dental disease. Some cats require more frequent dental care than others.
What can I do at home for my cat’s teeth?
Brushing with cat-safe toothpaste, veterinary dental diets, approved dental treats, and regular veterinary exams can help maintain oral health.
Book Cat Dental Care in Scarborough
Help protect your cat’s comfort and long-term health with professional veterinary dentistry at East Side Animal Hospital.
Schedule Cat Dental Appointment
