Gentle Dental Care for Dogs and Cats in Carver, MN
Many pets live with ongoing dental discomfort that often goes unnoticed. Dogs and cats are experts at masking pain even when they have broken teeth, inflamed gums, or infections hiding beneath the surface. Dental disease is one of the most frequently diagnosed health conditions in companion animals, and it tends to worsen with age if left untreated.
Creating a healthy, pain-free mouth is about more than fresh breath or clean teeth. It’s about protecting your pet’s overall well-being. Oral bacteria can travel through the bloodstream, impacting the heart, liver, and kidneys. Regular dental care is one of the most important ways to support a long, comfortable life for your pet.
Healing Hands Veterinary Hospital offers thoughtful, thorough dental care in a calm, pet-centered setting where dogs and cats are treated with kindness, patience, and respect.
Because a Healthy Mouth Means a Healthier Pet
Dental disease in pets often begins quietly. Plaque hardens into tartar, which irritates the gums and creates pockets where bacteria thrive. Over time, this can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and painful abscesses. By the time visible symptoms appear like bad breath or difficulty chewing, significant damage may already be present.
Prevention starts with awareness. Regular oral exams during wellness visits allow our veterinary team to detect early signs of trouble and intervene before things progress. For many pets, we recommend annual professional cleanings as part of their wellness plan, but frequency may vary based on age, breed, and individual risk factors.
What We Provide: Veterinary Dental Services for Dogs and Cats
Dental care at Healing Hands Veterinary Hospital is comprehensive, gentle, and always guided by what’s best for each individual animal. Our approach includes advanced technology and evidence-based care, but just as important, it includes time, patience, and compassion.
Oral Exams
Each dental journey begins with a detailed oral evaluation, which is part of every annual wellness visit. We assess the teeth, gums, tongue, and soft tissues for signs of disease, injury, or discomfort.
Full-Mouth Digital Dental Radiography
Digital X-rays allow us to see below the gum line where most dental disease hides. This includes identifying root infections, bone loss, and impacted teeth. These are conditions that cannot be diagnosed with visual inspection alone.
Ultrasonic Cleaning and Polishing
Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar from both above and below the gum line. We then polish the teeth to smooth the surface and slow future buildup.
Safe, Pain-Free Extractions
When a tooth is too damaged or infected to be saved, we provide gentle extractions with appropriate pain management before, during, and after the procedure. Every step is handled with your pet’s comfort in mind.
Periodontal Therapy
For pets with gum disease, we offer treatment options that support healing and prevent progression. This may include cleaning under the gum line and applying local antibiotics.
Soft Tissue Oral Surgery
Some pets require minor surgical procedures involving the tongue, gums, or oral masses. These are performed with the same high level of care and monitoring as all of our surgical services.
Specialist Referrals
When advanced procedures like root canals or orthodontic corrections are needed, we coordinate with board-certified veterinary dentists in the area to ensure your pet receives expert treatment.
Why We Use Anesthesia And Why That’s a Good Thing
All professional dental cleanings and procedures at Healing Hands Veterinary Hospital are performed under general anesthesia. This isn’t just about making things easier—it’s about making them safer and more effective.
Anesthesia allows our veterinary team to:
While anesthesia always carries some risk, we use modern protocols, perform thorough pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and monitor your pet closely throughout the entire process. Safety and comfort are always our priorities.
We do not offer anesthesia-free dental cleanings. These may remove some surface plaque but cannot treat or diagnose disease beneath the surface. In many cases, they can also increase anxiety for the pet without addressing the real problem.
A Calm Place for Compassionate, Pet-Centered Care
Every aspect of Healing Hands Veterinary Hospital is designed to feel like a home not a hospital. From the separate dog and cat exam rooms to the warm, plant-filled space, your pet is cared for in an environment that supports calmness and trust.
Appointments are 40 minutes long, allowing time to answer questions, explain options, and build a care plan together. There’s no rushing, no pressure, and no one-size-fits-all approach.
Dental care is a partnership. We’re here to help you make informed choices that fit your pet, your values, and your life.
Is Your Pet Trying to Tell You Something?
Some pets show no obvious signs of dental disease until it’s advanced, but others may display changes in behavior or eating habits. Watch out for the following:
Even subtle changes are worth mentioning during your next visit. If you notice anything concerning, don’t wait! Early treatment can make a big difference.
