Pet Dental Care for Dogs and Cats in Branson, MO

Why Is Dental Care Important for Pets?

Good pet dental care is essential to your dog or cat’s overall health and comfort. Just like people, pets can develop gum disease, tooth decay, and painful infections. Here’s why dog and cat dental care should never be overlooked:

1. Pets with gingivitis are uncomfortable, and advanced periodontal disease is painful.
2. Gum disease can lead to infections of the heart, kidneys, and other organs.
3. Preventing advanced dental disease is cheaper, safer, and less painful than treating severe conditions.
4. Foul breath (or bad breath in dogs and cats) makes it harder to enjoy the company of your pet.

We also payment plans for dental procedures, making it easier to provide your pet with the care they need. Ask our team for details!

Understanding Dental Grading in Pets

Grade 0

Your pet’s teeth and gums look clean and healthy. This is most common in puppies and kittens around 6–12 months old. This is the perfect time to start good habits—daily brushing and VOHC-approved dental chews help prevent problems from developing.

Grade 1

Soft plaque is beginning to build up. An anesthetized evaluation and cleaning is indicated to remove it and prevent dental disease. This is the easiest stage to manage, and early treatment prevents serious issues later.

Grade 2

Tartar (the hard, bacteria-filled buildup) and periodontal disease (infection below the gum line) are visible, and x-rays may reveal hidden problems such as bone loss, tooth root infections, or fractures. An anesthetized evaluation and cleaning is necessary to stop infection and prevent pain or tooth loss. Home dental care alone cannot treat this stage.

Grade 3

Heavy tartar and periodontal disease are present, and x-rays usually reveal hidden fractures, tooth root infections, or bone loss. Advanced dental treatment and ongoing home care are needed. Without treatment, your pet will experience pain and likely lose teeth.

Grade 4

Severe tartar and periodontal disease are present, causing pain. X-rays reveal that more than half of the tooth’s bone support is gone, and tooth loss is imminent. Professional dental evaluation and cleaning, including oral surgery and extractions, are urgently needed to relieve pain and stop further damage.

Anesthetized Dental Evaluation & Cleaning

According to national guidelines, an anesthetized dental evaluation and cleaning with x-rays is indicated when tartar or gingivitis is seen, or at least once a year starting at age one for cats and small to medium dogs, and at age two for large dogs.

At Animal Care Clinic, we follow the highest standards of safety and comfort:

• Advanced anesthetics and continuous monitoring by an experienced veterinary nurse
• Pre-anesthetic exam and lab work to identify any risks
• IV catheter placement for fluids and emergency access
• Gas anesthesia and oxygen delivery through an endotracheal tube to protect airways
• Comprehensive pain management before, during, and after the procedure

During your pet’s dental evaluation and cleaning, we perform full-mouth dental x-rays, probing, and charting. These steps help us find hidden problems like fractures, abscesses, or root issues that visual exams might miss. Because a thorough oral exam isn’t possible without anesthesia, we tailor each dog or cat dental treatment based on what we find during the procedure.

If additional treatment is needed, we’ll update you with a revised care plan and discuss options, which may include follow-up visits for complete care.

Common Treatments for Moderate to Advanced Dental Disease

• Enamel sealant application
• Periodontal therapy
• Oral surgery and extractions including:
  • local nerve blocks
  • gingival flap procedure
  • suture closure
  • post-op x-rays
  • laser therapy
  • post-procedure pain control

What does an Anesthetized Dental Evaluation & Cleaning cost?

The cost of an anesthetized dental evaluation and cleaning is generally standard. However, every pet’s needs are different. After examining your pet’s mouth, we provide an individualized plan if additional treatments, such as extractions, oral surgery, or periodontal therapy, are needed.

Payment Plans

Payment plans are available for dental procedures to make it easier to provide your pet with the care they need. Ask our team for details!

Home Dental Care Tips

Daily home care goes a long way toward maintaining your pet’s oral health. Here are a few teeth brushing tips:

• Start slowly and use flavored pet toothpaste.
• Brush in small circles along the gum line.
• Reward your pet afterward to build a positive association.
• Combine brushing with VOHC-approved dental chews or other supplements for extra plaque control.

If you’re wondering how to brush a pet’s teeth or what products to use, our team is happy to guide you during your pet’s next visit.

Read more from Dr. Alison on dental health for dogs and cats to learn how proactive oral care supports a longer, happier life.