Why Dental Cleanings Matter for your Pet

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs and cats

Regular professional dental cleanings under anesthesia are essential for your pet’s overall health and well-being. A professional cleaning allows us to thoroughly examine and address issues below the gumline—the place where serious disease starts. Investing in your pet’s dental health is investing in a longer, happier, and healthier life!

Periodontal disease is more than just bad breath

Periodontal disease it is a progressive bacterial infection that affects the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic pain, tooth loss, and even systemic health issues in the heart, kidneys, and liver as bacteria enter the bloodstream. Our goal is to proactively manage your pet’s dental health to prevent these serious consequences.

The benefits

Dental disease, like gingivitis and periodontitis, can cause chronic pain that often goes unnoticed by owners. Cleaning removes the sources of infection and inflammation.

As tartar and calculus build up, they push the gums away from the teeth, leading to bone loss and eventual painful tooth extraction.

Bacteria from severe dental disease can enter your pet’s bloodstream and travel to major organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys, potentially causing serious, life-threatening conditions.

While not the most important reason, professional cleaning eliminates the buildup of bacteria that causes “doggy breath” or “cat breath,” making cuddle time much nicer!

A cute cartoon dog with great looking teeth.

Acknowledging Anesthetic Concerns

We understand you may have concerns about anesthesia. Please know that modern veterinary anesthesia is generally very safe, and we take extensive precautions to minimize risks for every patient.

A professional dental cleaning under anesthesia is necessary to thoroughly scale away plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, polish the teeth, and perform a full oral exam with X-rays

Our safety protocols

We require recent pre-surgical bloodwork to evaluate organ function and screen for underlying issues that might affect the anesthetic plan.

We require recent pre-surgical bloodwork to evaluate organ function and screen for underlying issues that might affect the anesthetic plan.

A trained veterinary technician is dedicated solely to monitoring your pet throughout the procedure and recovery.

We use state-of-the-art equipment to continuously track vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and respiration.

IV fluids help maintain blood pressure and support organ function during anesthesia.

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