5232 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22205 | Mon-Th 7:30 – 7:30, Fri 7:30 – 5:30, Sat Closed, Sun Closed | (703) 528-2776

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5232 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22205 | Mon-Th 7:30 – 7:30, Fri 7:30 – 5:30, Sat Closed, Sun Closed | (703) 528-2776

Find UsBusiness HoursEmail Us

Dental Care

Dental Care

Pet Dental Care — Your First Defense Against Disease

Regular dental care is important to maintaining your pet’s teeth, as well as to support good general health, prevent infection, and avoid disease. At Ballston Animal Hospital, Pet Dental Health Month is Every Month! Schedule your cleaning within a month of your wellness visit for 10% off!

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Unfortunately, the negative consequences of ignoring dental hygiene in pets might be:

  • Poor nutrition due to inability to grind or chew foods
  • Weight loss
  • Damage to heart, kidney, or liver from bacterial infections
  • Chronic pain

You are your pet’s first defense in maintaining good oral health. Call us at once if you observe any of the following:

  • Bad breath
  • Broken or discolored teeth
  • Refusal to eat, especially dry food
  • Pawing the muzzle
  • Refusal to play with chew toys
  • Increased drooling
  • Unusual discharge from the nose
  • Swelling or sores on the face, jaw, in the mouth, or around eyes
  • Sudden changes in behavior

Dental Cleaning

All dental procedures require general anesthesia and pre-anesthesia blood tests. We use modern and safe ultrasound to clean each tooth thoroughly, above and below the gum line. Dental technicians polish the teeth to create a smooth, lustrous surface more resistant to plaque build-up. Fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity.

Bringing your pet to us for periodic cleaning is only one part of a preventive dental plan. You play the most important role in your pet’s dental health through regular teeth brushing at home.

For information on implementing your home dental care regime, read this American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) teeth brushing article.

Oral Surgery

Diagnostic tools are important prior to a decision about oral surgery, and we use a state-of-the-art Digital Dental X-Ray Unit. Find out why this technology is important to you and your pet by reading our Radiology page. Our veterinarians perform extractions, when necessary. If advanced dental care is needed, we will refer your pet to a veterinary dentist, a veterinarian who specializes in such things as root canals, fillings, and oral surgery.

We encourage you to explore these websites offering in-depth information on veterinary dental care. The American Veterinary Dental College and the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry.