1578 Skeet Club Road High Point, NC 27265
Healthy Teeth, Healthier Pets
Dental disease is one of the most common and most overlooked health conditions in dogs and cats. By the age of three, the majority of pets already show signs of periodontal disease, yet oral health is something many pet owners do not think about until a problem becomes obvious. The trouble is that dental disease rarely announces itself early. It develops gradually and quietly, and by the time your pet shows signs of discomfort, the condition has often been progressing for some time.
At Skeet Club Veterinary Hospital, we provide comprehensive dental care designed to protect your pet's oral health at every stage of life. We serve pet families throughout High Point and the neighboring communities of Oak Hollow, Horney Town, and Colfax.
Dental Exams
Every pet's oral health journey begins with a thorough dental examination. During your pet's wellness visit, our veterinarians will assess the condition of their teeth and gums as part of their overall physical assessment. This initial exam allows us to identify visible signs of tartar buildup, gum inflammation, tooth damage, or oral masses and determine whether further evaluation or treatment is needed.
Our dental exams evaluate:
- All tooth surfaces for fractures, discoloration, and erosion
- Gum tissue for inflammation, recession, and pocket depth
- The palate, tongue, and soft tissues for masses or abnormalities
- Existing dental disease staged and documented for ongoing monitoring
For a more detailed assessment, a comprehensive oral health evaluation is performed under anesthesia. This allows our team to examine every surface of every tooth, probe the gum line for pocketing or attachment loss, and identify issues that simply cannot be detected in an awake patient. Many dental problems, including tooth root abscesses, bone loss, and lesions beneath the gum line, are invisible without a hands-on examination under safe, controlled conditions.
Dental Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings are the most effective way to remove tartar and bacteria that regular brushing at home simply cannot reach. Even the most diligent at-home dental routine cannot eliminate the hardened calculus that builds up on tooth surfaces over time. Without periodic professional cleaning, this buildup leads to progressive gum disease, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss.
At our Skeet Club location, dental cleanings are performed under general anesthesia. We understand that anesthesia is a concern for some pet owners, but it is essential for a thorough, safe, and stress-free cleaning. It allows our team to do the job properly while ensuring your pet feels nothing throughout the process.
Dental Radiography
One of the most important tools in veterinary dentistry is dental radiography. Studies consistently show that a significant percentage of dental disease in pets exists below the gum line, completely hidden from view during a standard oral exam. Without dental X-rays, these problems go undetected and untreated.
Digital dental radiography allows our team to see the full structure of each tooth including the roots, surrounding bone, and periodontal ligament. This gives us a complete picture of what is happening beneath the surface and allows us to make far more informed treatment decisions.
Dental radiography helps us identify:
- Tooth root abscesses and infection
- Bone loss surrounding the roots of teeth
- Retained or impacted teeth
- Internal tooth resorption, a particularly common and painful condition in cats
- Fractures extending below the gum line
- Cysts or tumors affecting the jaw bone
- The extent of periodontal disease around individual teeth
At-Home Dental Care
Professional cleanings and exams are essential, but what happens between those visits matters just as much. Establishing a consistent at-home dental care routine is one of the best things you can do to slow the progression of dental disease and extend the time between professional cleanings. Some of the most effective at-home options include:
- Daily tooth brushing with a pet-safe toothbrush and veterinary toothpaste
- VOHC-approved dental chews and treats that help reduce plaque through chewing
- Dental diets formulated to limit plaque and tartar buildup
- Veterinarian-approved water additives for added antibacterial support between cleanings
Our team will work with you at each visit to assess how your pet's oral health is progressing at home and offer practical guidance along the way.
Comprehensive Dental Care in Your Community
Pets across High Point and the surrounding communities of Oak Hollow, Horney Town, and Colfax deserve access to thorough, professional dental care that goes beyond a cursory teeth check. Our Skeet Club Veterinary Hospital team is committed to providing exactly that, with the tools, training, and genuine care to keep your pet's mouth healthy for life.
