Pet Dental Care in Lake Mary, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary is a vet in Lake Mary, FL, that cleans and treats dogs' and cats' teeth, from routine cleanings under anesthesia to extractions and gum care. If your pet has bad breath, brown tartar or red gums, a dental exam is the next step.

Dental disease is easy to miss because pets keep eating through the pain. Many pet parents only notice how sore their pet was once the bad teeth are gone.

Call (689) 400-8901 or book a dental check online.

How do I know my pet needs a dental cleaning?

Signs to watch for at home:

• Breath that smells bad, not just "doggy"

• Yellow or brown buildup along the gum line

• Red, puffy or bleeding gums

• Chewing on one side, dropping food, or pawing at the mouth

• A cat who suddenly prefers soft food

• Swelling under one eye, which can mean a tooth root abscess

At every wellness exam, the Petfolk Lake Mary vet checks the teeth and grades the tartar and gum health. That tells you whether a cleaning is due now or can wait a while.

What happens during a dental cleaning?

A full dental cleaning at Petfolk Lake Mary is done under general anesthesia, because a pet can't hold still or open wide for a proper cleaning below the gum line. The usual steps:

1. Pre-dental exam, often with blood work, to plan safe anesthesia.

2. Drop-off in the morning, with fasting instructions the night before.

3. Anesthesia with monitoring of breathing, heart rate and temperature throughout.

4. Cleaning above and below the gum line, then polishing to smooth the enamel.

5. A tooth-by-tooth check for loose, broken or infected teeth.

6. Treatment or extractions if needed, with pain control. The team calls you first if the plan changes.

Most pets go home the same day.

They were very thorough with their examination from start to finish and they communicated with us throughout the entire process.

Gerald T., Google review

Who needs dental work most?

Older pets, mostly. Across Petfolk, the typical dog or cat having a dental procedure is about 7 and a half years old, and more than a quarter of dental patients (28%) are 10 or older. About 1 in 4 dog dentals (26%) and 3 in 10 cat dentals (30%) are booked as extractions or oral surgery (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). Small breeds and cats tend to need cleanings sooner.

Is anesthesia safe for my older pet?

For most older pets, yes, with good planning. The vet checks heart, kidneys and liver first, and adjusts the anesthetic plan to your pet. Leaving infected teeth in place has its own risks: constant pain and bacteria entering the bloodstream every time your pet chews.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, from the pre-dental exam to pickup.

Home care that actually helps

Between cleanings, small habits make a difference:

• Brushing with pet toothpaste, a few times a week, is the gold standard. Start with just the front teeth.

• Dental chews and diets with the VOHC seal (Veterinary Oral Health Council) have been tested to slow tartar.

• Skip antlers, bones and hard nylon toys, which can crack teeth.

Dental care costs

A dental cleaning is priced by your pet's size, health and what the vet finds. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. PetfolkCare membership starts at $199 a year; members can ask the team which dental benefits apply.

When mouth pain is urgent

A swollen face, a broken tooth with pink showing, or a pet who stops eating needs to be seen soon. Call Petfolk Lake Mary. If your pet has trouble breathing or collapses, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Winter Park.

Book a dental check

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary is at 222 Wheelhouse Ln, #1110, Lake Mary, FL 32746. Call (689) 400-8901. Planning for an older pet? See senior pet care in Lake Mary.

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