Pet Dental Care & Oral Health
Most pets develop dental disease by age three, and most of it hides below the gumline where you can't see it. Petfolk Johns Creek, at Medley in Johns Creek Town Center, starts with an oral exam and recommends a cleaning under anesthesia only when your pet needs one.
Book the exam at our Johns Creek clinic.
Call (470) 964-6691 or book online. Open 8am–6pm, seven days a week.
When to go to a 24-hour emergency hospital
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital for facial swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding from the mouth, a jaw injury, or a pet who can't close its mouth.
Petfolk Johns Creek is open 8am to 6pm, seven days a week. We don't provide overnight care, so anything that can't wait until morning belongs at a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Signs of Dental Disease
Bad breath that doesn't go away
Red or bleeding gums
Brown or yellow buildup on the teeth
Dropping food, chewing on one side, or pawing at the mouth
A broken or discolored tooth
Swelling under the eye, which can mean a tooth root abscess
Pets rarely stop eating from dental pain. Many owners are surprised by how much more active their pet is after painful teeth are treated.
Why Cleanings Happen Under Anesthesia
A real cleaning goes below the gumline, where disease does the most damage. That isn't possible on an awake pet, and neither are dental X-rays. Anesthesia lets the team clean every surface, probe each tooth, and take X-rays safely.
Petfolk's dental cleanings include a full exam, the cleaning, and anesthesia care with IV fluids, monitoring, and pain relief. Digital dental X-rays show the roots and bone that a look at the crown can't. AAHA explains why anesthesia is needed for a complete cleaning, and why it doesn't recommend anesthesia-free dentistry.
What Happens on Cleaning Day
An oral exam first, then pre-anesthetic lab work to make sure your pet can safely handle anesthesia.
Food goes away the night before, as the clinic instructs.
Your pet is anesthetized and monitored throughout, with IV fluids and pain relief.
The team cleans above and below the gumline, takes dental X-rays, and charts each tooth.
If a tooth is badly damaged, the vet will reach you before doing extra treatment where possible.
Your pet goes home the same day with aftercare instructions.
Care at Home
Daily brushing with a pet toothpaste is the gold standard. Never use human toothpaste.
Dental chews and water additives with the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal can help between brushings.
Avoid very hard chews, like bones and antlers, which can break teeth.
Our Gentle Handling team can show you how to start brushing slowly, with treats, so your pet learns to accept it.
When a Cleaning Isn't Needed Yet
A young pet with mild tartar and healthy gums may only need home care and a recheck at the next exam. The vet will show you what they see and tell you whether a cleaning would help now or can wait.
What Dental Care Costs Depends On
The oral exam and pre-anesthetic lab work
The cleaning and anesthesia
Dental X-rays
Extractions or other treatment, if needed
Pain medication to take home
“Gave me a quote before starting anything and I didn't even have to ask for it which I really appreciated.”
— Megan H., Petfolk client
You'll get an estimate before the procedure, and the vet will explain what could change it. PetfolkCare members get $200 off annual dental cleanings.
Look Below the Gumline
Book an oral exam at Petfolk Johns Creek or call (470) 964-6691, and find out whether your pet needs a cleaning now or just good home care.