Pet Dental Care in Nichols Hills, OK, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is a vet in Nichols Hills, OK, that cares for dogs' and cats' teeth, from yearly dental checks to full cleanings under anesthesia. Dental disease is one of the most common problems vets see, and most pets hide mouth pain well.

A cleaning removes tartar above and below the gumline, where gum disease does its damage.

Call (405) 251-8816 or book online for a dental check.

What are the signs of dental disease in pets?

Look for:

• Bad breath that doesn't go away

• Yellow or brown tartar on the teeth

• Red, swollen or bleeding gums

• Dropping food or chewing on one side

• Pawing at the mouth or rubbing the face

• Drooling, sometimes with blood

• A broken or loose tooth

• Not wanting hard food or chew toys

In cats, painful spots where the tooth wears away near the gumline are common. A cat with sore teeth may still eat but swallow food whole or drop kibble.

What happens during a pet dental cleaning?

At Petfolk Nichols Hills, a dental cleaning is a planned procedure:

1. A pre-dental exam, often with blood work, to make sure anesthesia is a safe choice.

2. An estimate first. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

3. Anesthesia. Your pet is fully asleep, which lets the team clean under the gums safely and check every tooth.

4. Scaling and polishing to remove tartar and smooth the tooth surface.

5. A tooth-by-tooth exam for pockets, cracks and loose teeth.

6. Extractions if needed, with pain control. The team will try to reach you first if they find something unexpected.

7. Going home the same day, usually with soft food for a few days.

Across Petfolk, the typical dental patient is about 7 and a half years old, and more than a quarter of dogs and cats who have a dental procedure (28%) are 10 or older (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026).

Why does my pet need anesthesia for a cleaning?

Most tartar damage happens below the gumline, where you can't see or reach on an awake pet. Cleaning only the visible part makes teeth look better without treating the disease. Anesthesia also keeps your pet still and pain-free while the team works.

When teeth need to come out

Some teeth are too damaged to save. Across Petfolk, about 1 in 4 dental procedures for dogs (26%) and 3 in 10 for cats (30%) are booked as extractions or oral surgery (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). Most pets eat better after a painful tooth is gone, even if several are removed.

Home care between visits

• Brushing with a pet toothpaste is the best thing you can do. Start slow, with a finger brush and a few seconds a day.

• Dental chews and diets with the VOHC seal help slow tartar.

• Avoid hard chews like antlers, bones and hard nylon, which can break teeth.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic. At Petfolk Nichols Hills, the team keeps drop-off calm, and a quick dental check at a wellness visit takes only a moment.

What does a dental cleaning cost?

The price depends on your pet's size, age and what's found under anesthesia. A wellness exam to check the teeth starts at $99 at Petfolk Nichols Hills. Ask for a full estimate when you book.

A broken tooth or swollen face

A broken tooth with pink or red showing, a swollen face or a pet that can't close its mouth needs prompt care. Call (405) 251-8816. If your pet is struggling to breathe or bleeding heavily from the mouth, go to a 24-hour hospital such as VEG Oklahoma City on Pawnee Dr off N Western Ave.

Dental drop-off near Nichols Hills Plaza

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is at 1125 NW 63rd St Suite 1125 C, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, with parking on site.

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