Dental Care in Prescott, AZ

Veterinary dental care covers the cleaning, examination, and treatment of your pet's teeth and gums. By age three, more than two thirds of dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease. A complete dental visit at Granite Mountain Veterinary Hospital includes pre-anesthetic bloodwork, full-mouth dental X-rays, ultrasonic scaling above and below the gumline, polishing, and any extractions or treatments indicated by what we find.

What's included in a dental visit (COHAT)

The full procedure is called a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment, or COHAT. It includes:

• Pre-anesthetic exam and bloodwork
• IV catheter, IV fluids, and active warming throughout the procedure
• Inhalant anesthesia with continuous monitoring by a dedicated technician
• Full-mouth digital dental X-rays (essential, since most dental disease lives below the gumline)
• Ultrasonic scaling above and below the gumline on every tooth
• Tooth-by-tooth probing to measure pocket depths and identify resorptive lesions, fractures, and mobility
• Polishing to smooth the enamel surface
• Extractions or other indicated treatments performed under the same anesthetic event
• Local anesthetic blocks for any extractions, plus take-home pain medication
• Discharge instructions, soft-food guidance, and a recheck schedule

Signs of dental disease in dogs and cats

• Bad breath (the most common early sign)
• Yellow or brown tartar at the gumline
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Drooling, sometimes with blood
• Reluctance to chew on one side, dropping food, or shifting away from hard kibble
• Pawing at the mouth or face
• Loose or missing teeth
• Broken teeth, especially after chewing antlers, bones, or hard nylon toys
• Weight loss in older cats (often a sign of feline tooth resorption or stomatitis)

Why dental X-rays matter

Roughly 60 percent of each tooth lives below the gumline. Without dental X-rays we can only see the visible crowns, and the most painful problems (root abscesses, tooth resorption, retained roots, fractures below the gumline) are invisible to the naked eye. Every dental cleaning at our hospital includes full-mouth X-rays so we can identify and treat what is actually happening, not just what is visible at first glance.

Why anesthesia is required

A thorough cleaning, probing, and X-ray series is not possible on an awake pet. So-called "anesthesia-free dental cleanings" only address visible tartar on the buccal surface of the crowns, leave the sub-gingival plaque untouched, and miss roughly 90 percent of the pathology that matters. They also stress the pet and can cause aspiration injuries. Modern veterinary anesthesia is safe for the vast majority of healthy pets, including seniors, with proper screening and monitoring.

Why dental health matters for the whole body

Untreated periodontal disease is not just a mouth problem. The bacteria under inflamed gums travel through the bloodstream and have been linked to changes in the heart, kidneys, and liver. Pain from advanced dental disease also affects appetite, behavior, and quality of life, often in ways owners only recognize after treatment. Owners routinely tell us that their senior dog or cat acts younger within a week of a dental.

Frequently asked questions

How often does my pet need a professional dental cleaning?

Most dogs and cats benefit from a professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months, but the right interval depends on breed, mouth conformation, and home dental care. Small breed dogs (Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds) and brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Frenchies, Persians) often need yearly cleanings. We will give you a specific recommendation at each wellness exam.

What can I do between cleanings?

Daily tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste is by far the most effective home care. Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved dental chews, water additives, and prescription dental diets help slow plaque buildup. We are happy to walk you through brushing technique at your next visit. Avoid chewing items harder than the tooth itself: real bones, antlers, hard nylon toys, and ice cubes are common causes of fractured teeth.

Is anesthesia safe for my older pet?

For most senior pets, yes. Age itself is not a disease. We screen for the conditions that actually increase risk (kidney function, heart disease, blood pressure, anemia, electrolytes) and tailor the anesthetic plan to what we find. The pain and infection from untreated dental disease typically presents a larger long-term risk than a well-monitored anesthetic event.

Will my pet need teeth extracted?

We will not know for certain until we have full-mouth X-rays and the chance to probe each tooth under anesthesia. We treat what is damaged or diseased and leave healthy teeth alone. If we find something that needs to come out, we will call you during the procedure with a plan and an updated estimate before proceeding.

How long is the recovery from a dental?

Most pets are eating normally the same evening if no extractions were performed. After extractions we ask you to feed soft food for seven to ten days while the gum tissue closes. Pain medication goes home with every dental patient. Most pets are noticeably brighter and more comfortable within 48 hours.

What does a dental cleaning cost?

Dental pricing depends on species, weight, the level of disease we find, and whether extractions or other treatments are needed. We give every patient an estimate range up front and call you during the procedure if findings push us toward the upper end. Please call (928) 771-1340 for current pricing.

Related services: Preventative Care, Pain Management, Internal Medicine & Diagnostics.

Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Bason, DVM. Last reviewed May 1, 2026.