Dog & Cat Teeth Cleaning in Mesa, AZ
Professional teeth cleaning for dogs and cats at our East Mesa clinic, done under general anesthesia with dental X-rays so we can treat problems below the gum line, not just the tartar you can see. We're open Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
What a dental cleaning includes
Dental disease is one of the most common problems we see in adult dogs and cats. Left untreated, it causes pain, infection and tooth loss, and it can affect the heart, liver and kidneys. Every cleaning is a full Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT), done by a licensed veterinarian:
- An exam and pre-anesthetic blood work to make sure anesthesia is safe
- General anesthesia, with your pet monitored throughout
- Dental X-rays to check the roots and bone below the gum line
- Scaling above and below the gum line, then polishing
- Probing around each tooth for pockets and gum disease
- A fluoride treatment
- Removal of any diseased teeth, with X-rays afterward
- Pain medication to take home if teeth were removed
Tooth extractions for dogs and cats
Broken teeth, loose teeth, abscessed roots and teeth with advanced gum disease are painful, even when a pet keeps eating. When a tooth can't be saved, our veterinarians remove it during the same anesthesia, including complex extractions, and take X-rays afterward to confirm the whole root is out. Your pet goes home with pain medication.
Dental care for cats
Cats are good at hiding mouth pain. Besides tartar and gum disease, many cats develop tooth resorption, where a tooth breaks down from the root. It's painful and often only visible on X-rays, which is why we take dental X-rays during every cat cleaning.
What to expect on dental day
- When you book, we'll tell you when to stop feeding your pet and what time to drop them off.
- Your pet stays with us during the day for the exam, X-rays and cleaning.
- We'll call you once your pet is awake. Most pets go home the same day.
- If teeth were removed, we'll go over soft food and pain medication at pick-up.
Why choose Apache Trail Veterinary Services
- Open six days a week, including Saturdays until 6:00 PM
- Dental X-rays at every cleaning, so problems below the gum line aren't missed
- Pain medication and comfort care after extractions
- Same-day urgent care if a tooth problem can't wait
Frequently asked questions
We check your pet's teeth at every wellness exam. Most pets benefit from a professional cleaning about once a year. Small breeds and pets with ongoing dental disease may need cleanings more often. Your veterinarian will recommend a schedule after checking your pet's mouth.
Watch for bad breath, red or bleeding gums, brown tartar, drooling, dropping food, or chewing on one side. Many pets show no signs at all, which is why regular exams matter.
Yes. Anesthesia lets us clean below the gum line, take dental X-rays and treat painful teeth safely and without stress. We check your pet beforehand with an exam and lab work, and monitor them closely throughout. Anesthesia-free cleanings only scrape the tartar you can see and can't treat the disease below the gum line.
Age alone isn't a reason to skip dental care. Every pet gets an exam and blood work before anesthesia, we tailor the anesthesia to your pet, and we monitor them closely throughout. Older pets often feel much better once painful teeth are treated.
Call us at 480-986-9050. We offer same-day urgent care during opening hours.
Daily brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste is the best home care. Dental chews and the right diet can help too. Ask us to show you how to brush your pet's teeth.
Every pet's mouth is different, so we give you an estimate after the exam. Call us at 480-986-9050.
Book Your Pet's Dental Exam
Open Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.