Professional dental cleanings, oral exams, and tooth extractions for dogs and cats at South Pasadena Animal Hospital. Healthy teeth and gums are an essential part of your pet's overall health -- and dental disease is more common than most pet owners realize. Our veterinary team at 3116 W Main St in Alhambra is here to help.
Dental disease is one of the most common health conditions in adult dogs and cats. By age three, the majority of pets have some degree of periodontal disease, and many owners are unaware of it because their pet continues eating without obvious signs of discomfort. Unlike humans, pets rarely refuse food due to dental pain -- they simply adapt, which means problems can quietly worsen over months and years before becoming apparent.
Left untreated, periodontal disease does more than cause bad breath and tooth loss. Bacteria from infected gum tissue can enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart, kidneys, and liver, contributing to serious systemic health problems over time. This is why dental care is not just a cosmetic concern -- it is a meaningful part of your pet's overall health and quality of life.
The encouraging news is that dental disease is largely preventable with regular professional cleanings and consistent at-home oral care. At South Pasadena Animal Hospital, we perform thorough dental cleanings that go well beyond surface-level tartar removal. Our goal is to keep your pet's mouth healthy year after year, starting with a complete assessment of what is happening above and below the gum line.
Before any anesthetic procedure, we recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork to evaluate kidney function, liver health, blood cell counts, and other key values. This helps us confirm your pet is a good candidate for anesthesia and allows us to tailor the anesthetic protocol for their individual health profile.
A thorough dental cleaning requires your pet to be safely under general anesthesia. This is not optional -- anesthesia is what allows us to safely access every tooth surface including below the gum line, probe gum pockets, take dental X-rays if needed, and perform any required treatments without causing pain or distress. Your pet's vital signs are monitored throughout the entire procedure.
Using both ultrasonic and hand scaling instruments, we remove plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces including beneath the gumline, where bacteria accumulate and cause the most damage. After scaling, teeth are polished to smooth the enamel surface, which slows future tartar accumulation and leaves the mouth clean and refreshed.
When a tooth is too badly damaged, fractured, or infected to be saved, extraction is often the most compassionate course of action. Our veterinarians evaluate each tooth individually during the procedure. Extractions are performed with appropriate local and systemic pain management, and most pets recover comfortably and quickly after the procedure.
Dental problems in pets can be easy to overlook, especially because animals rarely stop eating even when their mouths are uncomfortable. Here are some signs worth paying attention to:
Persistent bad breath that does not go away with regular feeding
Visible yellow or brown tartar buildup on tooth surfaces
Red, puffy, or bleeding gums along the gum line
Pawing at the mouth or rubbing the face on furniture or carpet
Dropping food while eating or chewing on only one side of the mouth
Drooling more than usual, or saliva with a blood tinge
Loose teeth or teeth that appear discolored or fractured
Reluctance to chew hard treats or toys they previously enjoyed
If you notice any of these signs, it is worth scheduling a dental exam. Our veterinarians can assess your pet's oral health and recommend appropriate next steps.
Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth. Periodontal disease and fractured teeth are among the most common dental problems seen in dogs. Small and toy breeds tend to develop tartar buildup more quickly than larger dogs, partly due to tooth crowding. Some breeds -- including dachshunds, pugs, shih tzus, and chihuahuas -- are more prone to dental problems due to the structure of their jaws and the way their teeth are arranged.
Dogs are often more tolerant of tooth brushing than cats, which makes home dental care more achievable. Dental chews and water additives can also help slow tartar accumulation between professional cleanings, though they do not replace a professional cleaning.
See our dog dental page for more detailed information, or visit our dog vet page for a full overview of dog services at SPAH.
Adult cats have 30 permanent teeth. One of the most common and painful dental conditions in cats is tooth resorption, in which the tooth structure is gradually destroyed from the inside out. This condition affects a significant portion of adult cats and is often not visible without a dental exam and X-rays. Many cats with tooth resorption continue eating without obvious signs, making regular dental exams especially important.
Cats are also prone to gingivitis and stomatitis -- severe inflammation of the gum tissue that can cause significant pain. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include professional dental cleaning, targeted extractions, or medical management.
Learn more on our cat vet page or view our full list of services.
Professional dental cleanings are the foundation of good oral health for pets, but what happens at home between visits also matters. The more consistently you care for your pet's teeth at home, the slower plaque and tartar will accumulate, and the longer the results of each cleaning will last.
Tooth brushing is the gold standard for at-home dental care. Daily brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush or finger brush and a pet-safe enzymatic toothpaste is ideal. Always use products formulated for pets -- human toothpaste contains xylitol and fluoride, both of which are harmful to dogs and cats. If your pet has never had their teeth brushed before, introduce it gradually by letting them lick the toothpaste first, then gently touching the teeth and gums, and building up to a full brush over several weeks.
Dental chews, dental diets, and water additives can provide some benefit as supplementary tools. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) evaluates and approves products that have demonstrated efficacy in reducing plaque or tartar -- look for the VOHC seal when choosing these products.
Even with consistent home care, professional cleanings remain necessary because tartar that has mineralized onto the tooth cannot be removed by brushing alone. Think of home dental care as the maintenance between cleanings -- it helps, and it is absolutely worth doing, but it does not replace the clinic.
South Pasadena Animal Hospital at 3116 W Main St provides professional pet dental cleanings for dogs and cats throughout Alhambra, South Pasadena, Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, and the wider San Gabriel Valley. If you have been searching for vet dentistry near you, our clinic is easy to reach from the 10 and 710 freeways with free street parking.
Dental disease is one of the most frequently undertreated conditions in companion animals because it progresses slowly and quietly. We believe in educating pet owners about what periodontal disease actually looks like, how it is treated, and what can be done at home to slow its progression. Our goal is not just to clean teeth -- it is to help you understand your pet's oral health so you can be an informed participant in their care.
SPAH is now accepting new patients, including dogs, cats, and exotic pets. Book your dental appointment online or call (626) 441-1314. Ask about dental care for rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas during your exotic pet visit.
Most dogs and cats benefit from a professional dental cleaning once a year, though some pets with faster tartar buildup or a history of dental disease may need more frequent cleanings. Your veterinarian will assess your pet's dental health at each wellness exam and recommend a schedule tailored to their needs.
Anesthesia is essential for a thorough and safe dental cleaning. It allows the veterinarian to examine all tooth surfaces including below the gum line, take dental X-rays if needed, and perform any necessary extractions without causing pain or distress. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork helps us verify that your pet's organs are functioning well before proceeding. Our team monitors vital signs throughout every procedure.
Common signs include bad breath, yellow or brown buildup on the teeth, red or swollen gums, pawing at the mouth, dropping food while eating, drooling more than usual, or reluctance to chew hard food or toys. Many pets with dental disease do not show obvious pain because they instinctively continue eating even when their mouth is uncomfortable.
Yes. When a tooth is too damaged, infected, or mobile to save, extraction is often the most humane and effective treatment. Our veterinarians assess each tooth individually during the dental procedure and perform extractions as needed, with appropriate pain management before, during, and after the procedure.
Yes, and it is one of the best things you can do for your pet's oral health. Daily brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste (never human toothpaste, which contains xylitol) can significantly slow tartar buildup between professional cleanings. We are happy to show you technique and recommend products during your pet's next visit.
We assess oral health at every exam — catching dental issues before they worsen.
Learn more →Post-dental laser treatment can reduce inflammation and speed soft-tissue healing.
Learn more →Routine surgeries with the same rigorous anesthetic monitoring we use for dentals.
Learn more →Existing clients can book a dental appointment online or by phone. Our team at 3116 W Main St in Alhambra is ready to help keep your pet's smile healthy.