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Florida Condition Guide • Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM • Last updated 2026-06-20

Pet Dental (Periodontal) Disease in Florida

Periodontal disease is the most common health problem in adult dogs and cats — over 80% of pets have it by age 3. Beyond bad breath, it causes chronic pain, tooth loss, and bacteremia that affects the heart, kidneys, and liver.

For Florida pet parents specifically: Florida dental clinics have wide availability and pricing varies dramatically — a Florida-licensed RexVet veterinarian can help plan the workup and refer you to a fairly priced local dental clinic with digital X-ray. We see a lot of small-breed Florida dogs and senior cats with neglected dental disease.

Per visit
$64.99
Family Plan
$120 one-time
Rating
4.9★ · 8,313+ reviews
Licensed in
FL, NY & VA

Licensed in Florida · Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM · Last updated 2026-09-12

Signs of dental disease in pets

  • Bad breath (often the first sign)
  • Yellow or brown tartar on teeth
  • Red or bleeding gums
  • Loose or broken teeth
  • Reluctance to eat hard food
  • Pawing at the mouth or face
  • Dropping food while eating

How dental disease is diagnosed

Initial assessment is visual; full diagnosis requires anesthetized cleaning with dental radiographs. Up to 60% of dental disease is below the gumline and invisible on awake exam.

Standard treatment for dental disease

  • Professional dental cleaning with dental X-rays (under anesthesia)
  • Extractions of diseased teeth
  • Antibiotic course before or after cleaning if infected
  • Pain management during recovery
  • Daily home dental care (brushing, dental diet, water additives)

Daily home management

  1. 1 Daily tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste (no human toothpaste — xylitol is fatal)
  2. 2 VOHC-approved dental chews
  3. 3 Hill's t/d, Royal Canin Dental, or similar dental diet
  4. 4 Water additives (Healthymouth, Aquadent)
  5. 5 Avoid hard chews that break teeth (antlers, bones, ice)

When telehealth works — and when it doesn't

Telehealth works

Pre-anesthetic workup planning, post-op pain management, antibiotic refill requests (where state rules allow), daily home care coaching, dental diet selection, and senior dental care planning are top telehealth uses.

Start a $64.99 video visit →
Go in-person

Professional cleaning and dental X-rays require general anesthesia and are NOT telehealth-suitable. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork, treatment planning, and post-op recovery are good telehealth fits.

Manage dental disease with a Florida-licensed vet

RexVet is licensed across all 67 Florida counties — $64.99 video visits, 7 days a week.

$64.99 flat — no membership. RexVet video visits with a Florida-licensed veterinarian run about 8 AM to 11 PM Eastern, every day — overnight, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital.

Book a vet visit — $64.99

Dental (Periodontal) Disease in Florida pets

Frequently asked questions

Can a RexVet online vet treat my Florida pet's dental disease?

Pre-anesthetic workup planning, post-op pain management, antibiotic refill requests (where state rules allow), daily home care coaching, dental diet selection, and senior dental care planning are top telehealth uses. A $64.99 video visit gets you a Florida-licensed vet who can prescribe where they judge medication appropriate and state rules allow, or refer to in-person care when needed. If the veterinarian prescribes, a pharmacy fills the prescription and a pharmacy transfer fee applies.

What are the signs of dental disease in pets?

Common signs include: Bad breath (often the first sign); Yellow or brown tartar on teeth; Red or bleeding gums; Loose or broken teeth; Reluctance to eat hard food. If you're seeing these, a Florida-licensed RexVet veterinarian can review by video and recommend next steps.

How is dental disease diagnosed?

Initial assessment is visual; full diagnosis requires anesthetized cleaning with dental radiographs. Up to 60% of dental disease is below the gumline and invisible on awake exam.

What's the standard treatment for pet dental disease?

Standard treatment approach includes: Professional dental cleaning with dental X-rays (under anesthesia); Extractions of diseased teeth; Antibiotic course before or after cleaning if infected; Pain management during recovery. Pre-anesthetic workup planning, post-op pain management, antibiotic refill requests (where state rules allow), daily home care coaching, dental diet selection, and senior dental care planning are top telehealth uses.

What can I do at home for my Florida pet's dental disease?

Daily home care for dental disease: Daily tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste (no human toothpaste — xylitol is fatal); VOHC-approved dental chews; Hill's t/d, Royal Canin Dental, or similar dental diet; Water additives (Healthymouth, Aquadent). Florida-specific: Florida dental clinics have wide availability and pricing varies dramatically — a Florida-licensed RexVet veterinarian can help plan the workup and refer you to a fairly priced local dental clinic with digital X-ray.

When does my Florida pet need to be seen in person vs. online?

Professional cleaning and dental X-rays require general anesthesia and are NOT telehealth-suitable. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork, treatment planning, and post-op recovery are good telehealth fits.

Does Florida's environment affect dental disease?

Florida dental clinics have wide availability and pricing varies dramatically — a Florida-licensed RexVet veterinarian can help plan the workup and refer you to a fairly priced local dental clinic with digital X-ray. We see a lot of small-breed Florida dogs and senior cats with neglected dental disease.

Can I refill my Florida pet's dental disease prescriptions online?

RexVet handles refill requests in a $64.99 video visit with a veterinarian licensed in Florida. If the veterinarian decides medication is appropriate, they can prescribe where state rules allow; some medications need an in-person exam first. In Florida, a veterinarian who has seen your pet only by video may prescribe only FDA-approved animal drugs used as labeled, for up to 14 days (1 month for flea-and-tick-only products), and cannot renew without an in-person exam. If the veterinarian prescribes, a pharmacy fills the prescription and a pharmacy transfer fee applies.

Dental (Periodontal) Disease in other states RexVet serves

Medical review by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM

Chief Executive Officer & Lead Veterinarian, RexVet. Licensed in Florida, New York, and Virginia.

This page is an educational reference and does not replace veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your individual pet.