Your pet cannot tell you their teeth hurt, and that silence is one of the most significant obstacles to their long-term health. Most dental disease in dogs and cats develops gradually, hiding beneath the gumline long before any visible signs appear, which means by the time you notice bad breath or reluctance to eat, the problem has likely been building for months. Routine professional dental cleanings are one of the most important, and most overlooked, preventive care services you can provide for your companion.
At Grace Animal Hospital in Holly Springs, our team performs comprehensive pet dental cleanings with the care and thoroughness your pet deserves. As part of our full range of veterinary services, we combine clinical precision with a fear-free approach, treating every patient the way we would want our own pets to be treated.
Pet dental cleanings must be performed under general anesthesia, and this is a non-negotiable standard upheld by every major veterinary professional organization, including the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Dental College. Anesthesia allows our team to clean every surface of every tooth, probe below the gumline, take dental X-rays, and thoroughly examine the entire oral cavity, none of which is possible on a fully awake animal.
You may have heard of anesthesia-free dental cleanings, which are offered by groomers and some non-veterinary providers. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, these procedures are not appropriate because they only remove visible tartar above the gumline, fail to address the subgingival bacteria responsible for periodontal disease, and can cause stress, pain, and injury to the pet. A cleaned-looking tooth is not the same as a healthy tooth. The distinction matters enormously for your pet’s long-term wellbeing.
General anesthesia is far safer today than it was even a decade ago, and our protocols reflect that. Before any procedure, we require pre-anesthetic blood work to assess organ function and identify any underlying health concerns that could affect how your pet responds to anesthesia. This step is a core part of how we protect your pet throughout the process. Your pet is continuously monitored by our veterinary team during the procedure, and the anesthesia plan is tailored to their individual weight, age, and health status.
Each of these steps contributes to a complete picture of your pet’s oral health, so you leave with a clear understanding of where things stand and what, if anything, needs to be addressed going forward.
For most dogs and cats, a professional dental cleaning is recommended once a year. Smaller dog breeds and cats tend to accumulate tartar more quickly and may benefit from more frequent visits. Senior pets, animals with a history of dental disease, or certain breeds prone to crowded teeth may also need additional attention. The best way to determine the right schedule for your pet is through regular pet wellness exams, where we assess oral health as part of your pet’s overall wellness evaluation.
If our team discovers a tooth that is too damaged or infected to save during a cleaning, a pet tooth extraction may be recommended to relieve pain and prevent the spread of infection. For more involved concerns identified through dental radiography, we also offer pet oral surgery to address structural and tissue-level issues under the same roof, reducing the need for additional visits.
Grace Animal Hospital is proud to provide comprehensive dental care for the pets of Holly Springs and the surrounding communities. Dr. Tiana Montell and Dr. Wells bring a genuine commitment to fear-free medicine and individualized care to every patient they see, and dental health is one of the top priorities they emphasize for long-term pet wellness. Whether your pet is due for a routine cleaning, showing signs of dental discomfort, or has never had a professional dental evaluation before, our team is ready to help.
Proactive dental care now prevents far more serious and costly problems later, and our team is here to walk you through every step of the process so you feel confident before, during, and after your pet’s visit. To learn more about our doctors and our approach, we invite you to meet our team. When you are ready to get started, please contact our office and we will be happy to get your pet scheduled.
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