Pet Dental Care in Columbus: Professional Cleaning & Oral Health Services
Your pet's dental health directly impacts their overall wellness and quality of life. Poor oral health can contribute to serious conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and chronic infections. PAWS is your trusted veterinary dentist in Columbus, providing comprehensive dental services with state-of-the-art monitoring, dental X-rays on every patient, and dedicated licensed veterinary technicians overseeing each procedure. From routine cleanings to advanced extractions, every treatment is tailored to your pet's individual needs.
Comprehensive Dental Services We Offer
Routine Dental Cleanings
Professional teeth cleaning for dogs and cats includes scaling to remove tartar, polishing to smooth tooth surfaces, and comprehensive dental X-rays to detect disease below the gum line. Each pet dental cleaning at PAWS is performed under general anesthesia with continuous monitoring to ensure safety and allow for thorough examination and treatment.
Dental Radiology
Full-mouth dental X-rays are performed on every patient during their dental procedure. Since the majority of dental disease exists below the gum line—invisible during a standard visual exam—these X-rays are essential for detecting hidden problems, assessing bone health, and identifying teeth that may require extraction.
Tooth Extractions
When teeth are diseased, fractured, or causing pain, extraction is often the best path to improving your pet's comfort and health. Dogs and cats adapt remarkably well to tooth loss, even full-mouth extractions, and typically return to eating kibble and living happily. We prioritize removing diseased teeth over preserving teeth that compromise your pet's well-being.
Oral Exams & Assessments
Every wellness visit includes a thorough oral examination where we assess the gums, teeth, and overall oral health. We look for signs of tartar buildup, gingivitis, fractured teeth, tooth mobility, infections, and other concerns. We grade dental disease on a scale of 1 to 4 and provide personalized recommendations for your pet's care.
Specialized Puppy & Kitten Dental Care
Young pets need dental monitoring too. We watch for retained deciduous (baby) teeth, which are common in small-breed dogs and can cause early decay of adult teeth if not removed. We also identify malocclusions—misaligned teeth that can grow into the hard palate or cause other issues—and recommend appropriate intervention, often coordinated with spay/neuter procedures.
Why Choose PAWS as Your Veterinary Dentist in Columbus
State-of-the-Art Monitoring & Safety
Dental X-Rays on Every Patient
Dedicated Licensed Veterinary Technicians
We use the same advanced monitoring equipment found in human medicine. Every pet receives a customized anesthetic plan based on their individual health status, age, and needs.
We perform full-mouth dental X-rays on every patient during their dental procedure—something not all practices do. This ensures we're not missing critical disease hiding beneath the gum line.
Each patient has a dedicated licensed veterinary technician monitoring their anesthesia from start to finish, not juggling multiple tasks simultaneously. This hands-on approach ensures your pet receives focused, attentive care throughout their procedure.
Passionate About Oral Health
Convenient Scheduling
Our team stays current with best practices in veterinary dentistry and is committed to educating pet owners about the connection between dental health and overall wellness.
We work to accommodate appointments as quickly as possible based on your pet's needs and your availability.
Pricing & Investment in Your Pet's Health
The cost of dental procedures varies based on your pet's individual needs. Investing in your pet's oral health early on can decrease the risk of future disease and more expensive interventions down the road. During your pet's wellness exam, if we determine dental care is needed, we'll provide a tailored estimate based on what we observe and recommend, so you'll know what to expect before scheduling the procedure.
Did You Know?
Simply rubbing pet toothpaste on your pet's teeth can reduce oral bacteria by up to 50%—even without traditional brushing! The toothpaste itself does the work. Try applying it directly to their teeth with your finger for an easy way to support your pet's dental health at home. (Note: Always use pet-specific toothpaste, as human toothpaste is toxic to pets.)
"Poor dental health doesn't just affect your pet's mouth—it can lead to infection, pain, and worsening of pre-existing disease. At PAWS, our comprehensive approach to dental care ensures we catch problems early and keep your pet living their best life."
— Dr. Jenna Bonfiglio, Co-Founder and Veterinarian
Frequently Asked Questions
About Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning in Columbus
Yes. We understand that anesthesia can be a concern for pet owners, but modern veterinary anesthesia is very safe, and we've come a long way in monitoring and protocols. We use the same advanced equipment found in human medicine, and each pet receives a customized anesthetic plan based on their health status.
Age itself is not a contraindication for anesthesia—a healthy 15-year-old may be a better candidate than an unhealthy 7-year-old. For older pets or those with health concerns, we recommend pre-anesthetic blood work and chest X-rays to identify any potential risks. Every pet is intubated during the procedure to protect their airway from bacteria and fluids, and a dedicated licensed veterinary technician monitors them throughout.
Anesthesia-free dental cleanings may sound appealing, but they're actually dangerous and considered substandard care in the veterinary industry. Without anesthesia, we cannot safely perform X-rays, scale below the gum line, or prevent your pet from aspirating harmful bacteria. Your pet also experiences stress and discomfort during an awake cleaning.
It depends on the individual pet. Smaller-breed dogs tend to develop dental disease faster due to crowding and smaller teeth, and often benefit from annual cleanings. Larger breed dogs may only need cleanings every few years. Cats fall somewhere in between.
When you bring your pet in for cat or dog teeth cleaning in Columbus at PAWS, we assess their individual needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Factors like home dental care, diet, and genetics all play a role in determining the right schedule for your pet.
Watch for these warning signs:
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Bad breath (often the first sign owners notice)
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Excessive drooling
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Pawing at the mouth or face
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Dropping food while eating or chewing on only one side
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Difficulty eating
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Jaw chattering
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Blood on toys or when chewing
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Visible tartar buildup or red, swollen gums
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a dental exam. Even without obvious symptoms, regular oral exams during wellness visits help us catch problems early.
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The most effective home care includes:
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Brushing teeth with pet-specific toothpaste (2-3 times per week is great, daily is ideal)
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Licking toothpaste from a lick mat if brushing isn't feasible
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VOHC-approved dental chews (Veterinary Oral Health Council)
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VOHC-approved dental diets specifically formulated to reduce plaque and tartar
Visit the VOHC website to find veterinary dentist-approved products. Remember that the mechanical action of chewing kibble can help knock off tartar, though diet alone isn't a substitute for professional cleanings and home care.-
If we discover diseased or damaged teeth during your pet's dental procedure, we'll perform necessary extractions during the same appointment. While it may sound concerning, dogs and cats do remarkably well without teeth—even after full-mouth extractions. They adapt quickly and continue eating kibble and enjoying life.
It's far more important to remove diseased teeth than to worry about how many teeth remain. Diseased teeth cause pain, difficulty eating, and can lead to serious infections. For pets requiring multiple extractions, we provide pain medication and recommend a soft diet for two weeks, but recovery is typically straightforward and easy.
Protect Your Pet's Health With Professional Dental Care
Contact PAWS today to schedule your pet's dental exam or cleaning. Our Columbus pet dental care team is here to answer your questions and help you take the best care of your pet’s smile.
Location & Hours
PAWS Veterinary Primary Care 8321 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43235
Phone: (614) 647-2499
Email: info@pawsvetprimarycare.com
Hours: Open daily 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM CLOSED WEDNESDAYS + WEEKENDS