Keyboard Accessible Menu Veterinarian and Animal Hospital in Denver PA

Denver:

2481 N Reading Road, Denver PA 17517


Call (717) 484-0440 |
Text (717) 925-3867

Lititz:

788 Rothsville Road, Lititz, PA 17543


Call (717) 627-3411 |
Text (717) 621-3141

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Preventative Dental Care for Pets, Teeth Cleaning and Dental Care FAQs

At Adamstown Veterinary Hospital, our team provides comprehensive dental care for dogs and cats, from routine cleanings and digital dental radiography to advanced oral surgery, endodontics, prosthodontics, fracture repair, and oral tumor removal. Whether your pet needs preventive dental care, treatment for periodontal disease, or a referral for advanced veterinary dentistry, these frequently asked questions can help you better understand what to expect and why dental health matters.

Explore Our Pet Dental Care FAQs Below

Preventative Dentistry and Teeth Cleaning

  • Comprehensive oral examinations
  • Professional dental cleanings and polishing
  • Ultrasonic scaling
  • Periodontal assessment
  • Home dental care recommendations

At Adamstown Veterinary Hospital, advanced dentistry is grounded in a simple belief: oral health is whole-body health.

Dental disease is often painful, progressive, and difficult to recognize at home. Our goal is not only to treat existing disease but to prevent future problems while making the experience as comfortable as possible for both pets and their families.

Fear-Free and Low-Stress Dentistry

Dental care begins long before anesthesia.

Our team incorporates Fear Free® and low-stress handling techniques throughout the entire process. We carefully consider each patient’s personality, anxiety level, and medical needs when developing an individualized care plan.

When appropriate, we may recommend:

  • Pre-visit calming medications
  • Low-stress handling techniques
  • Customized sedation protocols

Experienced Team. Collaborative Care.

Our dental procedures are performed by experienced veterinarians supported by credentialed veterinary technicians and trained assistants. Through continual education, advanced training, and a commitment to excellence, our team strives to provide the highest standard of veterinary dental care while ensuring every patient receives compassionate, individualized attention.

Whether your pet needs a routine dental cleaning or advanced oral surgery, our goal remains the same: to improve comfort, restore oral health, and help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

Call us today to schedule your dog or cat’s dental exam.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Dental Care

Unfortunately, dental disease is often hidden beneath the gumline and can progress silently for months or years. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to:

  • Chronic oral pain
  • Tooth loss
  • Infection and abscess formation
  • Damage to the jawbone
  • Potential effects on the heart, kidneys, and liver

Common signs of dental disease include:

  • Bad breath
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Dropping food while eating
  • Excessive drooling
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Facial swelling
  • Changes in behavior or activity level

Because pets naturally hide discomfort, regular dental evaluations are one of the most important preventive services we provide.

Periodontal disease is extremely common. Approximately 85% of dogs and cats develop some form of periodontal disease during their lifetime, making it the most commonly diagnosed disease in companion animals.

Yes. Advanced dental disease can allow bacteria and infection to enter the bloodstream, potentially impacting the heart, liver, and kidneys. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums helps prevent these systemic health problems.

Many pets hide signs of discomfort until dental disease becomes severe. Common indicators may include bad breath, difficulty eating, chewing on one side of the mouth, drooling, red gums, or changes in behavior. Because pets often mask pain, regular veterinary dental examinations are important.

Our veterinary dental services include:

  • Professional dental cleanings
  • Digital dental radiography (dental X-rays)
  • Dental charting
  • Periodontal treatment
  • Surgical extractions
  • Restorative procedures
  • Endodontic treatments
  • Prosthodontic procedures
  • Fracture repair
  • Oral tumor removal

Yes, Adamstown does accept advanced dental care referrals from local veterinarians.  Our referral process is very easy and we do our very best to expedite cases as quickly as possible for the referring veterinarian and their client.

Our referral veterinary dental services include:
  • Dental Cleanings
  • Digital Dental Radiography
  • Dental Charting
  • Periodontal Treatment
  • Surgical Extractions
  • Endodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Fracture Repair
  • Oral Tumor Removals

Feline stomatitis is a severe and painful inflammatory condition that affects a cat’s gums, cheeks, tongue, and other tissues inside the mouth. Cats with stomatitis often experience significant oral discomfort that can make eating, grooming, and normal daily activities difficult.  Adamstown Veterinary Hospital is experienced at treating cats with feline stomatitis. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and may include:

  • Professional dental cleaning
  • Dental radiographs (X-rays)
  • Pain management medications
  • Anti-inflammatory therapy
  • Antibiotics when appropriate
  • Extraction of affected teeth in severe cases

Many cats experience significant improvement in comfort and quality of life following dental treatment and tooth extractions when recommended.

Digital dental radiography (dental X-rays) allows veterinarians to evaluate structures beneath the gumline that cannot be seen during a visual examination. Dental X-rays help identify hidden infections, bone loss, fractured teeth, and other conditions that may otherwise go undetected.

Periodontal disease progresses through four stages:

Grade 1 – Gingivitis: Mild inflammation and redness of the gums.

Grade 2 – Early Periodontitis: Pocket formation and early bone loss.

Grade 3 – Moderate Periodontitis: Deeper pockets, significant attachment loss, and moderate bone loss.

Grade 4 – Advanced Periodontitis: Severe inflammation, gum recession, extensive bone loss, and loose teeth.

Early detection and treatment can help prevent progression to advanced disease.

At Adamstown Veterinary Hospital, dental procedures may include:

  • Pre-anesthetic blood testing
  • Day-of-procedure physical examination
  • IV catheter and fluid therapy
  • General anesthesia
  • Advanced anesthetic monitoring
  • Dental scaling and polishing
  • Dental charting
  • Full-mouth dental radiographs
  • Periodontal treatment
  • Oral surgery when needed
  • Pain management
  • Detailed aftercare instructions
  • Follow-up evaluation

We focus on comprehensive, safe, and compassionate care for every patient.

Professional veterinary dental procedures require anesthesia to allow for a thorough cleaning above and below the gumline, complete oral examination, dental radiographs, and any necessary treatment while ensuring your pet remains comfortable and stress-free. Adamstown Veterinary Hospital utilizes comprehensive anesthetic monitoring for patient safety.

Dental procedures are performed by our experienced veterinary team, including veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians who regularly attend advanced dental continuing education programs to stay current with the latest techniques and treatment options.

Most pets benefit from annual dental examinations, although some breeds and individual pets may require more frequent evaluations. During your pet’s wellness visit, our veterinary team can recommend a personalized dental care plan.

Simply call Adamstown Veterinary Hospital during regular business hours. One of our dental team members will help schedule your pet’s consultation or procedure and answer any questions you may have about treatment options. Dental procedures are typically scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with additional arrangements available when needed.

Pet owners throughout Denver, Adamstown, Ephrata, Reinholds, and Lancaster County trust Adamstown Veterinary Hospital because we provide:

  • Advanced veterinary dentistry
  • Digital dental radiography
  • Comprehensive anesthesia monitoring
  • Experienced veterinary professionals
  • Compassionate patient care
  • Detailed aftercare support
  • Personalized treatment plans

Our mission is to keep every pet healthy, comfortable, and free from pain through high-quality veterinary care.

Compassionate care you can trust

Expert care for every stage of life

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Fear Free Veterinary Care Adamstown Animal Hospital

Hospital Hours

Monday 8 AM to 6 PM
Tuesday 8 AM to 6 PM
Wednesday 8 AM to 6 PM
Thursday 8 AM to 6 PM
Friday 8 AM to 6 PM
Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM
Sunday Closed