A broken tooth, a swollen face, or a dog who will not let you near their mouth?
That is worth a call tonight. Our emergency team is in the building around the clock, every day of the year, and there is no additional emergency fee.
Most dogs eat, play and greet you at the door exactly the same way whether their mouth feels fine or not. That is why dental disease is usually found by a person, not reported by a dog. The good news is that the signs are consistent, and once you know what you are looking at you can spot them from your own living room.
Dr. Jake Smiley walks through it in the video above. Here is the short version.
What does a healthy mouth look like?
Teeth are white or close to it, with a thin clear film at most. Gums are an even pink and sit flat against the tooth. Breath smells like a dog, which is to say not wonderful, but not sharp.
That is your baseline. Lift the lip once a week and you will notice a change long before it becomes a problem.
Which signs mean it is time for a cleaning?
Breath is the first one people notice. A sharp or sour smell usually means bacteria are established under the gum line.
Brown or yellow buildup along the gum line is the next. It starts at the back teeth, where you cannot see it without lifting the lip, so that is where to look first.
Red or puffy gums, especially a red line right where the gum meets the tooth, mean inflammation is already underway. Gums that bleed when a chew toy goes in say the same thing.
Then there is chewing. A dog who drops food, chews on one side, prefers soft food, or walks away from a hard treat they used to love is telling you something. So is a dog who has quietly stopped playing tug.
Any one of these is worth a look. Two or more and a cleaning is almost certainly due.
What happens during a dental cleaning?
It starts with blood work, so we know anesthesia is a safe choice for your dog before anything else happens.
Your dog is then placed under anesthesia for the rest of the visit. We take full mouth dental X-rays, because roughly two thirds of every tooth sits below the gum line where no exam can reach it. Tartar comes off above and below the gum line, every tooth gets charted, and the teeth are polished smooth so plaque has less to hold onto.
If an X-ray shows a tooth that cannot be saved, your veterinarian calls you before anything is removed. Nothing comes out without your say.
Why is anesthesia used?
Because the part that matters is under the gum line, and no awake dog holds still for that.
Anesthesia also keeps the airway protected and keeps the whole thing painless. Your dog is monitored the entire time. A cleaning done without anesthesia scrapes the visible surface of the tooth and leaves the disease where it actually is.
Which mouth problems need us the same day?
A tooth broken with the pink or dark center showing, swelling under an eye or along the jaw, a mouth your dog will not let you touch, bleeding that does not settle, or a dog who has stopped eating altogether.
Those are painful and several of them are infections working their way into bone. We are open 24 hours a day, every day, and there is no additional emergency fee, so the middle of the night costs the same exam fee as a Tuesday morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a dog need a professional cleaning?
Most dogs do well on a cleaning once a year. Small breeds and flat faced breeds often need one sooner, because more teeth are crowded into less jaw.
Does brushing at home replace a cleaning?
It does not replace one, but it stretches the time between them, which is worth a lot. Daily is ideal and three times a week still helps.
Is bad breath really a medical sign?
Yes. It is the most common first sign of dental disease and the one most often written off as normal.
What does a cleaning cost?
It depends on what the X-rays show and whether any teeth need to come out, so we give you a written estimate before we start. Dental cleanings done at Columbia Pike in October are $100 off.
Can dental care go on a wellness plan?
Yes. The dental add-on is $65 a month plus a one time $25 enrollment fee and includes a professional dental cleaning and dental X-rays. It is not insurance, and it goes on top of a wellness plan rather than on its own.
How do you book a cleaning in October?
October is Dental Health Month at Columbia Pike, and every dental cleaning done here between October 1 and October 31, 2026 is $100 off. Our October dental schedule fills up early, so it is worth picking a date now. You can read more on our dental services page.
Schedule online at columbiapikeanimalh.com/schedule-appointment, or call or text us anytime at (703) 256-8414. We are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and there is no additional emergency fee.
Schedule a Dental CleaningCall or text: (703) 256-8414
Columbia Pike Animal Hospital & Emergency Center
4205 Evergreen Ln, Annandale, VA 22003
Love People. Love Pets.