Pet Dental Care in North Hills, Raleigh, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is a vet in North Hills, Raleigh, that does dental care for dogs and cats. That includes dental exams, professional cleanings under anesthesia, and extractions of teeth that are broken, loose or infected. Most pets need a cleaning every one to three years, depending on age, breed and home care.

Dental disease is painful, but pets rarely show it. Many keep eating even with a sore tooth.

Call (984) 983-4900 or book online for a dental check.

How do I know if my pet needs a dental cleaning?

Watch for these signs, then book an exam at Petfolk North Hills:

• Bad breath that doesn't go away

• Brown or yellow buildup (tartar) on the teeth

• Red or bleeding gums

• Chewing on one side or dropping food

• Pawing at the mouth or a swollen cheek

• A broken or loose tooth

The vet checks teeth at every wellness exam and tells you whether a cleaning is due now or can wait.

What happens during a dental cleaning?

A dental cleaning at Petfolk North Hills is done under general anesthesia. That is the only way to clean below the gumline, where disease starts, and to check every tooth safely. On the day:

1. A pre-anesthesia exam, and blood work if needed, to make sure your pet is safe to go under.

2. Anesthesia with monitoring of heart rate, breathing and oxygen the whole time.

3. Scaling above and below the gumline to remove plaque and tartar.

4. Polishing to smooth the tooth surface.

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

6. Extraction of teeth that are too damaged to save, if you have agreed to it.

Most pets go home the same day. Ask the team whether dental x-rays are part of your pet's plan.

Fair prices and they took very good care of my dog, Pretzel, for her dental appointment.

Ally B., Google review

Who needs dental care most?

Dental disease builds with age. Across Petfolk, the typical dental cleaning patient is about 7 and a half years old, for both dogs and cats, and more than a quarter of dental patients (28%) are 10 or older (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026). Small breeds and short-nosed dogs often need cleanings sooner because their teeth are crowded. Cats get painful tooth lesions that can only be fixed by removing the tooth. Across Petfolk in the same period, about 1 in 4 dog dental procedures and 3 in 10 cat dental procedures were booked as extractions or oral surgery.

How much does a pet dental cleaning cost?

Cost depends on your pet's size, age, the amount of disease and whether teeth need to come out. Petfolk North Hills gives you an estimate after the dental exam. Ask the team how they will reach you on the day if they find a tooth that changes the plan. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. The PetfolkCare plan gives discounts on dental cleanings, and the clinic accepts CareCredit financing.

Keeping teeth clean at home

Home care slows tartar between cleanings. In order of how much they help:

1. Daily brushing with a pet toothpaste (never human toothpaste).

2. Dental chews or diets with the VOHC seal (Veterinary Oral Health Council).

3. Water additives, as a small extra.

Start slowly with a finger brush and a treat. Every Petfolk clinic uses Fear Free methods, and the North Hills team is happy to show you how to brush during a visit.

When a mouth problem can't wait

A broken tooth with pink showing, a swollen face or a pet that suddenly won't eat needs a sick visit soon. See sick pet visits in North Hills. If your pet has heavy bleeding from the mouth or trouble breathing, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital on Paragon Park Road in Raleigh.

Book a dental exam

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is at 631 E Six Forks Rd, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609. Call (984) 983-4900 or book online.

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