Dental disease is the most common health problem in dogs and cats, and it hides in plain sight. Our Miami veterinary team provides cleanings, extractions, root canals, and thorough oral evaluations to keep your pet's mouth and body healthy.
Bad breath is often the first clue, but the damage runs deeper. Every dental starts with a full oral exam, and when needed we back it up with pre-anesthetic bloodwork so cleanings and extractions and oral surgery stay safe.
Briarwood Animal Hospital has cared for pets' teeth in South Florida since 1981. Dental health is far more than fresh breath. Plaque hardens into tartar, gums become inflamed, and bacteria under the gumline can travel through the bloodstream to affect the heart, liver, and kidneys. A clean, healthy mouth genuinely adds comfortable years to a pet's life, which is why we treat dentistry as core medicine, not cosmetic care.
A professional dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, where a toothbrush cannot reach. We evaluate every tooth, check for pockets and fractures, and identify problems that are invisible from the outside. Because pets will not hold still for detailed dental work, cleanings are done under anesthesia, always preceded by an exam and bloodwork through our on-site laboratory so we can proceed safely.
Not every tooth can be saved, and that is where extractions come in. A badly fractured, infected, or loose tooth causes real pain, and removing it brings immediate relief. We handle extractions gently and manage pain carefully afterward.
For teeth worth preserving, we also perform root canals and restorations, so a damaged tooth does not always mean a lost one. Our doctors decide case by case what serves the pet best.
How a Dental Visit Works
Oral Examination
We examine your pet's mouth, note tartar, gum health, and any painful or damaged teeth.
Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork
Our in-house lab confirms your pet is healthy for anesthesia, especially important for seniors and rescues.
Cleaning and Treatment
Under anesthesia we clean above and below the gumline and address extractions, root canals, or restorations as needed.
Recovery and Home Care
We manage pain, wake your pet gently, and send you home with a home-care plan to protect the results.
Rescue and adopted pets often arrive with years of neglected dental disease, and we see this constantly. A rescue dog might need a thorough cleaning, several extractions, and a full recovery plan before that pet finally feels comfortable eating. Families from South Miami who foster and adopt know we take the time to get these mouths healthy. Preliminary lab work is part of that process, keeping older or unknown-history pets safe under anesthesia.
Home care extends the results. We show you how to brush, recommend dental products through our pet supply selection, and fold oral checks into every wellness visit as part of our preventive medicine program. Pets in Kendall and nearby communities stay ahead of dental disease when cleanings and home care work together.
If your pet has bad breath, is dropping food, or has not had a dental exam in a while, call to schedule one. A healthier mouth is one of the kindest things you can do for your companion.
Signs Your Pet Has Dental Trouble
MIAMI PET DENTISTRY
Caring for Rescue and Adopted Pets' Neglected Teeth
Miami has a big, active rescue and foster community, and we are proud to support it. Rescue and adopted pets frequently come to us with dental disease that went untreated for years: heavy tartar, loose teeth, and painful infections. These pets cannot tell us their mouths hurt, so a careful oral exam and pre-surgical bloodwork reveal the full story before we begin.
We work with foster families and adopters across South Miami, Kendall, and the surrounding area to get these mouths healthy. A thorough cleaning, the right extractions, and a gentle recovery often transform a pet's whole demeanor. Once the pain is gone, they eat better, play more, and settle in. Pairing dental care with a wellness plan keeps that fresh start going.
The Value of Professional Dental Care
- Cleaning above and below the gumline under anesthesia
- Extractions that relieve pain from damaged teeth
- Root canals and restorations to save healthy teeth
- Pre-anesthetic bloodwork through our on-site lab
- Gentle handling for anxious and rescue pets
- Home-care guidance to extend every cleaning
- Oral checks built into routine wellness visits
Dentistry Questions
Cleaning below the gumline, taking full-mouth assessments, and treating painful teeth cannot be done safely on an awake pet. Anesthesia keeps your pet still and pain-free, and we protect them with pre-anesthetic bloodwork and continuous monitoring throughout.
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Related Services
Diagnostics
Digital x-ray, ultrasound, ECG, and same-day in-house lab work help our Miami veterinarians reach an accurate diagnosis without the wait.
Internal & Preventive Medicine
Wellness exams, internal medicine, and preventive plans keep Miami dogs and cats healthy through every season of the year.
Surgery
Orthopedic and soft-tissue procedures with safe anesthesia, careful monitoring, and gentle handling for Miami dogs and cats.
Ready to Get Started With Dentistry?
Call our Miami team or request an appointment online. We have cared for South Florida pets since 1981.