Pet Dental Care & Oral Health in Sandy Springs, GA, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Sandy Springs is a vet in Sandy Springs, GA, that does dental exams, professional cleanings and tooth extractions for dogs and cats. Most pets need a cleaning every one to two years, starting when tartar or gum redness first shows up.

Dental disease is one of the most common problems vets find, and pets rarely show pain. Many keep eating on a sore tooth until it is badly infected.

Call (678) 673-3977 or book a dental exam online.

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

Your pet likely needs a dental visit at Petfolk Sandy Springs if you notice any of these:

• Bad breath that doesn't go away

• Yellow or brown tartar on the teeth, or red, puffy gums

• Chewing on one side, dropping food, or eating slower

• Pawing at the mouth, or drooling more than usual

• A broken tooth, or a swelling under the eye

• Loose teeth in an adult pet

Across Petfolk, the typical dental cleaning patient is about 7 and a half years old, for both dogs and cats (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). Small dogs and many cats need care earlier.

What happens during a dental cleaning?

A dental cleaning at Petfolk Sandy Springs is done under general anesthesia, so the vet can clean below the gumline and check every tooth safely. The day goes like this:

1. Blood work first, to make sure anesthesia is safe. It is required before any anesthesia.

2. Anesthesia with heart rate, breathing and oxygen watched throughout.

3. A close look at roots and bone, where most disease hides, with x-rays when the vet needs them. Ask the team what your pet's cleaning includes.

4. Scaling and polishing above and below the gumline.

5. A full chart of every tooth, with pockets and problems noted.

6. Extractions only when a tooth is too damaged to save, with local nerve blocks and pain medicine.

Your pet goes home the same day. 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.

Why not clean teeth without anesthesia?

Scraping teeth on an awake pet only cleans the visible surface. It can't reach under the gums, can't take x-rays, and can stress or hurt the pet. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends anesthesia for every professional cleaning, and Petfolk Sandy Springs follows that.

A gentle start for nervous pets

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic. The first step is an awake mouth exam during a regular visit, where the vet looks at the teeth and gums and gives you a plan and an estimate.

Went in for a dental consultation and received great service. Very patient, very gentle, very informal.

Ashley T., Google review

What does a pet dental cleaning cost?

The cost depends on your pet's size and age, the blood work, how many x-rays are needed and whether any teeth come out. At Petfolk Sandy Springs 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 x-rays show a tooth that needs to come out. PetfolkCare starts at $199 a year and includes savings on every visit; ask the team what it covers for dental care. CareCredit financing is also available.

Daily care between cleanings

• Brush with a pet toothpaste a few times a week. Human toothpaste isn't safe for pets.

• Start slow: let your pet lick the paste, then rub the outer teeth with a finger.

• Choose chews that bend; very hard bones and antlers can crack teeth.

• Ask the vet about dental diets or water additives for pets who won't allow brushing.

Swelling, a broken tooth or not eating

A swollen face, a broken tooth with pink showing, or a pet who stops eating needs a visit soon. Petfolk Sandy Springs offers same-day appointments for mouth pain. If the swelling makes it hard for your pet to breathe or swallow, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital on Abernathy Rd NE.

Book the dental exam

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Sandy Springs is at 6223 Roswell Rd, 365A, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Call (678) 673-3977. To learn about the pre-anesthetic tests, see pet blood work and lab testing.

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