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Dental Care

🦷 Pet Dental Care at LivWell Pet Care

Now Offering Professional Dental Cleanings!
We’re excited to introduce our new dental program dedicated to keeping your pet’s smile bright and healthy. At LivWell Pet Care, we believe proper dental care isn’t just about clean teeth—it’s an essential part of your pet’s overall wellness.

🐾 Why Dental Care Matters

Regular dental care helps:

  • Prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay
  • Reduce the risk of infections spreading throughout the body
  • Improve your pet’s comfort, appetite, and quality of life
  • Detect early signs of other underlying health conditions

🧼 Our Dental Services

Our Basic Dental Prophylaxis starts at $400 and includes:

  • Thorough Oral Exam: Detect issues early with a veterinarian-led exam
  • Professional Cleaning: Ultrasonic scaling and polishing under general anesthesia
  • Advanced Diagnostics: Full-mouth dental radiographs included with every cleaning
  • Customized Care Plans: Tailored to your pet’s individual oral health needs

Note: In some cases, teeth affected by advanced disease may naturally fall out once tartar is removed. This is normal and often relieves discomfort.

💲 Extractions & Additional Pricing

Some pets may require tooth extractions, depending on the severity of dental disease. These decisions are made during the procedure after tartar is removed and the full condition of the teeth is evaluated.

  • Extractions range from: $200–$750, based on complexity and time
  • All known costs are discussed beforehand
  • If anything unexpected arises, we’ll call you before proceeding

🦷 Why Dental Procedures Require Anesthesia

Pets don’t understand dental care and can react by moving or biting. Anesthesia ensures:

  • A pain-free, stress-free procedure
  • Safe, complete cleanings and radiographs
  • Reduced risk of injury to your pet or our staff

While no procedure is without risk, modern anesthesia is safer than ever. Most pets go home the same day!

🧠 Dental Disease: What to Watch For

You should schedule a dental exam if your pet shows:

  • Bad breath
  • Broken, discolored, or loose teeth
  • Extra baby teeth
  • Tartar buildup
  • Drooling, abnormal chewing, or food dropping
  • Bleeding or swelling in or around the mouth
  • Reluctance to eat or mouth sensitivity

Behavior changes like irritability can also be signs of oral pain.

🧪 Common Dental Conditions We Treat

While pets rarely get cavities, they are prone to:

  • Broken teeth or roots
  • Periodontal disease (most common!)
  • Tooth root abscesses
  • Oral tumors or cysts
  • Bite misalignments (malocclusion)
  • Jaw fractures
  • Palate defects (e.g., cleft palate)

By age 3, most pets show signs of early periodontal disease, which worsens without preventive care.

🧑‍⚕️ Who Performs Dental Procedures?

  • Veterinarians perform exams, extractions, and surgery
  • Veterinary technicians (nurses) may perform:
    • Cleanings
    • Radiographs
    • Oral medication administration
      All under direct veterinary supervision per Florida law

🏡 At-Home Dental Care Tips

The best way to protect your pet’s teeth between cleanings is daily brushing. If daily brushing isn’t possible, aim for several times a week.

✅ Use pet-specific toothbrushes & toothpaste
✅ Ask about dental diets or VOHC-approved chews
✅ Start early—especially for cats, who need more patience

VOHC-Approved Dental Products for Cats & Dogs

At LivWell Pet Care, we believe oral health is essential to your pet’s overall well-being. One way to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup at home is by using dental treats and products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).

The VOHC Seal of Acceptance is awarded only to products that meet rigorous standards for effectiveness in reducing plaque and tartar. These approved treats can help lower your pet’s risk of periodontal disease—a common and preventable condition that can impact not just the mouth, but the heart, kidneys, and other vital organs.

Adding VOHC-approved dental chews, treats, and rinses to your pet’s routine is a great way to support the care they receive during professional cleanings at our clinic.

To view the current VOHC-approved product lists:

If you have questions about which products are best for your pet, ask us at your next visit—we’re happy to help!

📚 Client Resources & Educational Materials

🐱 For Cats:

🐶 For Dogs:

🚫 Important Reading:

🎥 Videos:

🐾 Let’s Keep That Tail Wagging

A healthy mouth = a healthier, happier pet.
Contact us today to schedule your pet’s dental consultation or cleaning!

📞 (Insert Clinic Phone Number)
📍 LivWell Pet Care – St. Petersburg, FL
🌐 livwellpetcare.vet