Pet Dentistry Services in Sacramento

Your pet’s smile deserves expert care. From cleaning to extractions, our team ensures every tail wag and purr stays pain-free.

Dentistry Services

Why Dental Care Matters

Imagine if you never brushed your teeth — your mouth would ache, your gums would bleed, and eating would hurt. Pets experience the same discomfort when dental care is overlooked. Studies show that over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats develop dental disease by age three, making it one of the most common health issues in pets.

Dental disease doesn’t just cause bad breath; bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, liver, and kidneys, leading to more serious illness over time.

At Del Paso Veterinary Clinic, we’ve been caring for Sacramento pets’ dental health for over 80 years. Dr. Khabra’s expertise in dentistry ensures your pet receives thorough, skilled care that prevents pain and protects their overall health.

Common Signs Of Dental Disease

If you notice any of these symptoms, your pet may already be in pain and needs dental care:

🦷 Persistent Bad Breath More than just “dog breath” — a strong, foul odor indicates infection or decay

🦷 Yellow or Brown Buildup on Teeth (Tartar) Visible plaque and tartar accumulation on tooth surfaces

🦷 Red, Swollen, or Bleeding Gums Gingivitis causes inflamed, painful gums that bleed easily

🦷 Pawing at the Mouth or Face Your pet may scratch at their mouth due to pain or discomfort

🦷 Reluctance to Eat Hard Food Painful teeth make chewing difficult; pets may prefer soft food or refuse to eat

🦷 Drooling or Dropping Food While Eating Excessive drooling or inability to keep food in mouth while chewing

🦷 Loose, Broken, or Missing Teeth Advanced dental disease can cause teeth to become loose or fall out

🦷 Sensitivity Around the Mouth Your pet may pull away when you touch their face or muzzle

🦷 Changes in Behavior Irritability, decreased playfulness, or hiding due to dental pain

Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Schedule a dental examination with Dr. Khabra to assess your pet’s oral health.

Our Dental Services

Comprehensive Dental Examinations

Dr. Khabra performs thorough oral health evaluations during wellness exams and dedicated dental assessments:

  • Visual inspection of all teeth, gums, and oral tissues
  • Assessment of tartar buildup and gum inflammation
  • Check for loose, broken, or damaged teeth
  • Evaluation of bite alignment and jaw health
  • Oral mass or tumor detection

 

Early detection prevents pain and saves teeth.

Professional Dental Cleaning (Ultrasonic Scaling & Polishing)

Our professional dental cleanings go far beyond what home brushing can achieve:

Ultrasonic Scaling: Removes plaque and tartar above and below the gum line using advanced ultrasonic technology

Hand Scaling: Carefully removes remaining deposits in hard-to-reach areas

Polishing: Smooths tooth surfaces to slow future plaque buildup

Subgingival Cleaning: Cleans beneath the gum line where most disease occurs

All dental cleanings are performed under safe anesthesia to ensure thorough cleaning without stress or pain. This also allows Dr. Khabra to clean below the gum line and examine areas that would be impossible to reach on an awake pet.

Tooth Extractions (Simple & Complex)

When teeth are severely diseased, damaged, or causing pain, extraction may be the best option to restore comfort and health.

Simple Extractions: Removal of loose or diseased teeth

Complex Extractions: Surgical removal of teeth with strong roots or complicated anatomy

Oral Surgery: Advanced procedures for more complex dental issues

Dr. Khabra’s 18 years of surgical experience ensures extractions are performed skillfully with appropriate pain management. Every extraction includes:

  • Safe anesthesia protocols
  • Pain medication during and after procedure
  • Post-operative care instructions
  • Follow-up to ensure proper healing

Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork

Recommended before every dental procedure to ensure your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia.

Our in-house laboratory provides same-day results, checking:

  • Liver and kidney function
  • Red and white blood cell counts
  • Blood sugar levels
  • Electrolyte balance

 

This screening helps Dr. Khabra customize anesthesia protocols for your pet’s safety.

Our Dental Procedure Process

Step 1: Pre-Dental Examination

Dr. Khabra examines your pet’s mouth and discusses the recommended treatment plan, including any necessary extractions.

Step 2: Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork (Recommended)

Same-day lab results ensure your pet is healthy for anesthesia.

Step 3: Safe Anesthesia

Your pet is safely anesthetized using modern protocols with comprehensive monitoring:

  • Pulse oximetry
  • ECG/EKG
  • Blood pressure monitoring
  • Temperature monitoring
  • Capnography (CO2 monitoring)
  • Dedicated monitoring technician

Step 4: Thorough Cleaning

Ultrasonic scaling removes tartar above and below the gum line, followed by hand scaling and polishing.

Step 5: Extractions (If Needed)

Diseased or damaged teeth are carefully extracted to eliminate pain and infection.

Step 6: Recovery & Discharge

Most pets go home the same day with pain medication and detailed aftercare instructions.

Dental Care Without Dental X-rays

While we don’t currently have dental X-ray capabilities on-site, Dr. Khabra’s thorough visual examinations and skilled technique ensure high-quality dental care.

What this means for your pet:

  • Comprehensive oral examinations detect visible dental disease
  • Professional cleaning removes tartar and prevents progression
  • Extractions are performed when teeth are visibly diseased, loose, or causing pain
  • We refer complex cases requiring advanced imaging when needed

 

Over 80 years of experience caring for Sacramento pets has taught us how to provide excellent dental care with skilled examination and treatment.

Home Dental Care

Professional cleanings are essential, but home care between visits helps maintain your pet’s oral health:

Daily Tooth Brushing

  • Use pet-specific toothpaste (never human toothpaste!)
  • Start slowly and make it positive with treats and praise
  • Even a few teeth brushed is better than none
  • Aim for daily brushing, but 3-4 times per week still helps

Dental Chews & Treats

  • VOHC-approved dental chews help reduce plaque
  • Not a replacement for brushing, but a helpful supplement
  • Choose size-appropriate products

Dental-Specific Diets

  • Prescription dental foods available at our on-site pharmacy
  • Formulated to reduce tartar through mechanical action

Water Additives

  • Some products can help reduce bacteria in the mouth
  • Ask Dr. Khabra for recommendations

Regular Dental Exams

  • Annual dental checkups during wellness exams
  • Professional cleanings as recommended (often every 1-2 years)

 

Dr. Khabra will provide personalized home care guidance based on your pet’s specific needs.

Dental Care Frequency Recommendations

Small Breed Dogs: Often need more frequent dental care (every 6-12 months) due to crowded teeth

Large Breed Dogs: Typically need professional cleaning every 1-2 years

Cats: Many benefit from dental cleaning every 1-2 years, especially as they age

Pets with Dental Disease: May need more frequent attention; Dr. Khabra will create a customized plan

Every pet is different. Dr. Khabra will recommend a dental care schedule based on your pet’s individual needs, breed, age, and current oral health.

Dental Care Faqs

Why does my pet need anesthesia for dental cleaning?

Anesthesia ensures your pet is pain-free and still, allowing Dr. Khabra to thoroughly clean below the gum line where most disease occurs. It also prevents stress and allows for safe, complete examination of all teeth.

Yes! We use modern anesthesia protocols with comprehensive monitoring (pulse oximetry, ECG, blood pressure, temperature, capnography). Pre-anesthetic bloodwork helps ensure your pet is healthy enough for the procedure.

Cost depends on the severity of dental disease and whether extractions are needed. We provide estimates after Dr. Khabra’s examination. We accept CareCredit, ScratchPay, and will soon offer Cherry financing.

Most pets benefit from professional cleaning every 1-2 years, though some need more frequent care. Dr. Khabra will recommend a schedule based on your pet’s individual needs.

Yes! Daily brushing is the best way to prevent dental disease between professional cleanings. Use pet-specific toothpaste and start slowly. Dr. Khabra can demonstrate proper technique.

Dr. Khabra will discuss which teeth need extraction and why. The procedure is performed under anesthesia with pain medication. Most pets feel much better after diseased teeth are removed!

We provide pain medication during and after the procedure. Most pets recover quickly and feel significantly better once painful dental disease is treated.

Most pets can eat soft food the same evening. Dr. Khabra will provide specific feeding instructions based on the procedures performed.

We don’t currently have dental X-rays on-site. Dr. Khabra’s thorough visual examinations and 18 years of experience allow us to provide excellent dental care. Complex cases requiring advanced imaging can be referred if needed.

Many pet insurance policies cover dental disease treatment (but not routine preventive cleanings). We provide detailed documentation for insurance reimbursement.

The Del Paso Difference For Dental Care

18 Years of Dental Expertise Dr. Khabra’s extensive experience in dentistry ensures skilled, thorough care for your pet’s oral health.

Comprehensive Anesthesia Monitoring Pulse oximetry, ECG, blood pressure, temperature, and capnography with dedicated technician ensure safety.

Same-Day Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork Our in-house lab provides results the same day to ensure your pet is healthy for anesthesia.

Same-Day Discharge Most pets go home the same day with pain medication and aftercare instructions.

Pain Management Priority We take dental pain seriously and provide appropriate pain control during and after procedures.

Honest Recommendations Dr. Khabra only recommends necessary procedures and discusses all options with you.

Affordable Care Competitive pricing with flexible payment options (CareCredit, ScratchPay, Cherry coming soon).

Trusted Since 1940 Over 80 years of experience caring for Sacramento pets’ dental health.

Schedule Your Pet's Dental Examination

Don’t let dental disease cause your pet pain or lead to serious health problems. Schedule a dental examination with Dr. Khabra today.

Call (916) 925-2107 to book your pet’s dental consultation.

Email: office@delpasovetclinic.com

Visit: 924 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815

Same-day appointments available for urgent dental concerns.

Serving Sacramento & Surrounding Communities

Proudly providing wellness and preventive care for pets in:

  • Del Paso Heights
  • North Sacramento
  • Natomas
  • Robla
  • Arden-Arcade
  • West Sacramento
  • And surrounding neighborhoods