Pet Dental Care in Holly Springs, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Holly Springs is a vet in Holly Springs, NC, that offers dental care for dogs and cats, from mouth checks at every exam to cleanings under anesthesia and tooth extractions. Most pets need a professional cleaning every one to two years, and some small breeds need one more often.

Dental disease is painful, but pets hide it well. Many keep eating even with a broken or infected tooth.

Call (919) 591-0887 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

How do I know if my pet has dental disease?

The vet at Petfolk Holly Springs checks your pet's mouth at every exam, but these signs at home are worth a call:

• Bad breath that doesn't go away.

• Yellow or brown buildup on the teeth.

• Red, swollen or bleeding gums.

• Chewing on one side or dropping food.

• Pawing at the mouth or rubbing the face.

• A broken or loose tooth.

• Drooling more than usual.

Cats can also get painful holes in their teeth called resorptive lesions. They are common and often missed at home.

Dogs who chew sticks on the greenway or carry rocks around the yard can also crack a tooth. A broken tooth with a pink or dark spot in the center is exposed and sore, even if your dog acts fine, so book a look soon.

What happens during a dental cleaning at Petfolk Holly Springs?

A full dental cleaning at Petfolk Holly Springs is done under general anesthesia, so your pet is safe, still and free of pain. The day usually goes like this:

1. You drop your pet off in the morning after the fasting time the team gives you.

2. Pre-anesthetic blood work checks that your pet is healthy for anesthesia, if it wasn't done before.

3. Your pet is put under anesthesia and monitored the whole time.

4. The vet team scales the tartar off each tooth, including under the gumline.

5. Each tooth is checked, and the teeth are polished smooth.

6. If a tooth is broken or infected, the team contacts you before removing it.

7. Your pet wakes up, rests and goes home the same day.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, so drop-off is calm and quiet.

They text you when your pet is going into surgery and promise to contact with any issues or questions during the procedure.

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Why does my pet need anesthesia for a cleaning?

Much of the damage is below the gumline, where tartar and bacteria cause infection and bone loss. Cleaning there is not possible on an awake pet without stress or pain. Anesthesia lets the team clean every tooth fully and look at each one closely. The vet will talk you through the risks and how your pet is watched during the procedure.

Caring for teeth at home

What you do between cleanings makes a big difference:

• Brush daily with a pet toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste.

• Start slowly, with a finger and a bit of paste, then add a soft brush.

• Ask the team about dental chews and water additives that fit your pet.

• Skip hard bones, antlers and hooves, which often crack teeth.

What does pet dental care cost in Holly Springs?

The cost of a cleaning at Petfolk Holly Springs depends on your pet's size, age, blood work and whether any teeth need to come out. The vet examines your pet first and gives you a price. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit, for example if a tooth needs to be removed. A PetfolkCare membership, which starts at $199 a year, includes wellness exams where the mouth is checked.

Sudden mouth pain

If your pet suddenly can't close its mouth, has a swollen face, or is bleeding heavily from the mouth, call right away. If your pet is struggling to breathe, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital.

See also senior pet care in Holly Springs and pet surgery in Holly Springs.

Visit Petfolk Holly Springs

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Holly Springs is at 105 Village Walk Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540, with free parking for easy drop-off. Call (919) 591-0887, book online or walk in.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Holly Springs, or see all veterinary services in Holly Springs.