What is the procedure when my pet’s teeth are cleaned?

Congratulations!  You’ve decided to schedule a professional dental cleaning for your dog or cat! Now that you’ve scheduled your appointment, you’d like to know a little more about what’s involved.

Step One: Pre-anesthetic screening

Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is recommended for all animals undergoing an anesthetic procedure, and required for pets three years old and older.  The blood test is usually done the morning of surgery, and checks liver and kidney function, a complete blood count (CBC, or red and white blood cell count), and blood sugar.  This test confirms that your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia. 

Occasionally, a pre-anesthetic ECG is recommended.  This involves attaching a heart monitor to the pet to look for abnormal heart rhythms. 

Most animals will be given an IV catheter so they can be given fluids during their dental cleaning. IV fluids correct any underlying dehydration and help maintain good blood pressure. 

Step Two: Cleaning

Tartar and plaque are scaled off of the teeth much in the same way that your teeth are cleaned when you go to the dentist.  Teeth are then polished to remove any rough spots that could increase the likelihood of plaque formation.

Step 3: Oral examination

Once the teeth are clean, the mouth is charted.  Each tooth is checked for mobility, fractures, infection, gum disease, and cavities.  Some cats develop pits or holes in their teeth that cause painful exposure of the tooth pulp (blood and nerve supply).  The gingiva (gum tissue), lips, roof of the mouth, and tongue are checked for injuries, infection, and tumors.  If needed, dental x-rays are taken to evaluate the health of tooth roots, pulp, and bone around the tooth.

Step 4: Treatment of periodontal disease

If your pet’s teeth are healthy, his dental cleaning is over.  Fluoride foam is applied to the teeth for a minute or two, then his mouth is rinsed and he is allowed to wake up.

If, however, there are broken, loose, or infected teeth, they require surgical removal.  Periodontal disease is uncomfortable at best, painful at worst, even if your pet is not acting as if anything is wrong.  Removing the affected teeth will eliminate the source of infection, and after the extraction site heals, your dog or cat’s mouth will be pain-free.  Antibiotics and pain medication are sent home for a short time after oral surgery to keep your pet comfortable while he heals.

Step 5: Healthy mouth maintenance

Now that your pet’s dental cleaning is over, what can you do to keep his mouth healthy? Home care is important, and can include daily tooth brushing and giving your pet Greenies or Hill’s t/d dental treats to help remove tartar. Certain chew toys can also help remove tartar as your pet chews. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is  has compiled a list of products that have been approved for safe dental care at home.  Click here to read the list!

Your pet’s teeth will be evaluated yearly when he comes in for his annual physical exam.  Some pets need a professional dental cleaning every few years, but there are some dogs or cats that are more prone to tartar buildup.  Those pets may need a dental cleaning every 12 - 18 months to keep their teeth and gums healthy.  If tartar sits on teeth for too long, it can cause bad breath and will eventually lead to painful infections that require tooth extractions.

A healthy mouth is a happy mouth! Please call us with any questions about dental care for your pet!