Dental health is one of the most overlooked aspects of pet care, yet it affects far more than your pet’s teeth. Untreated dental disease can lead to painful infections, tooth loss, and systemic effects that impact the kidneys, heart, and liver. Bowness Animal Hospital provides comprehensive dental care for dogs and cats in Calgary, including professional cleanings, extractions, dental X-rays, scaling, polishing, and preventive dental assessments. If your pet has persistent bad breath, visible tartar, difficulty chewing, or is pawing at their mouth, it is time for a dental check. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, in Bowness, NW Calgary.
Professional dental cleanings are the cornerstone of maintaining your pet's oral health. Unlike at-home brushing, a professional cleaning allows our team to remove plaque and tartar from all surfaces of the teeth, including below the gumline where bacterial buildup causes the most damage. Dental cleanings at Bowness Animal Hospital are performed under general anesthesia, ensuring your pet is safe, still, and comfortable throughout the procedure. We recommend pre-anesthetic blood work to confirm your pet is healthy enough for the procedure. A thorough cleaning significantly reduces the risk of periodontal disease, the most common dental issue in both dogs and cats.
When a tooth is too damaged, infected, or compromised to be saved, extraction is the most appropriate and humane option. Broken teeth, teeth affected by advanced periodontal disease, and teeth with root abscesses are among the most common reasons extractions are needed. At Bowness Animal Hospital, extractions are performed under general anesthesia with appropriate pain management before, during, and after the procedure. Most pets recover well after extractions and often feel significantly more comfortable once a source of chronic oral pain has been removed. Post-extraction care instructions are provided at discharge.
A significant portion of dental disease exists below the gumline, where visual inspection alone cannot reveal the full picture. Dental X-rays allow our team to assess the roots of teeth, identify bone loss, detect root abscesses, and evaluate the extent of damage before deciding on the best approach. At Bowness Animal Hospital, dental X-rays are taken under anesthesia alongside the cleaning procedure. Full-mouth X-rays are recommended at every dental procedure to ensure no hidden issues are missed. Many serious dental problems are only visible on X-ray.
Scaling removes calculus (hardened tartar) from the surfaces of the teeth, including the spaces between teeth and below the gumline. Calculus buildup is the primary driver of periodontal disease in dogs and cats, and scaling is the most effective way to address it. Our team uses both hand instruments and ultrasonic scaling equipment to thoroughly clean all surfaces of each tooth. Scaling is performed under anesthesia to allow complete access to every tooth surface, including those near the back of the mouth that would be difficult or unsafe to clean in an awake patient.
After scaling, polishing smooths each tooth's surface, reducing the microscopic roughness that allows plaque to reattach more quickly. A smooth, clean tooth surface slows the return of buildup and extends the time between professional cleanings. Bowness Animal Hospital's dental prophylactic package combines cleaning, scaling, polishing, and a post-procedure oral assessment into a complete preventive dental visit. We also provide at-home dental care guidance, including recommendations for brushing technique, dental chews, and water additives to help maintain oral health between visits. Dental surgery, when required, is performed in conjunction with a dental procedure: see our Surgical Services page for full details.
Some dental issues can’t be seen on the surface. That’s why Bowness Animal Hospital uses dental X-rays to get a detailed look at your pet’s tooth roots and jawbone. This advanced imaging allows us to detect issues like tooth decay, infections, and bone damage, ensuring that your pet gets the right treatment for optimal oral health.
Most dogs and cats benefit from a professional dental cleaning once a year, though pets with heavy buildup or a history of dental disease may need more frequent visits. Our team will assess your pet’s oral health and recommend an appropriate schedule.
Persistent bad breath in dogs and cats is usually a sign of dental disease rather than a cosmetic issue. It typically indicates bacterial buildup on teeth and gums. A dental assessment is the appropriate next step.
Anesthesia-free cleanings are not recommended by veterinary dental professionals. They address only visible surfaces, cannot safely treat below-gumline disease, and can cause unnecessary stress. Full cleanings under anesthesia are the standard of care.
We assess dental health at every wellness visit. A first professional cleaning may be recommended any time significant buildup, disease, or retained baby teeth are identified. Your veterinarian will advise based on your individual pet.
Yes. Daily brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste is the most effective at-home dental care. Our team can walk you through technique at your next visit. Even brushing a few times per week provides meaningful benefit compared to no brushing at all.
Do not wait for dental pain to become serious. Call Bowness Animal Hospital at (587) 391-3911 or book your pet’s dental appointment online at bownessvet.ca/make-an-appointment/. Our Calgary team is ready to help your dog or cat achieve better oral health and lasting comfort.
