Like their owners, pets need dental care to ensure healthy teeth and gums, especially since many pets will develop some form of periodontal disease before the age of 3. Home dental care helps maintain healthy gums and slows the formation of tartar on teeth, but much like their owners, pets need to have their teeth examined regularly to check for the progression of periodontal disease and overall health. This dental check usually takes place during the yearly examination from your veterinarian and is a great time to discuss a professional dental cleaning.
In considering a professional dental cleaning for your pet, it is important to understand the process. There are usually four steps which are:
A pre-surgical physical exam and blood work. Because pet dentals are considered surgical procedures, they involve anesthesia. Your veterinarian needs to have a current health profile to ensure that your pet can be sedated for the procedure.
The teeth cleaning. This process is similar to the one you experience at your dentist’s office. To remove plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth, the veterinarian uses an instrument called a scaler. Unlike the instruments used to remove tartar and plaque from human teeth, veterinarians normally use an ultrasonic scaler which uses water and vibrations to remove the tartar and plaque from teeth.
The polishing of the teeth. Because the scaler leaves microscopic grooves on the tooth’s enamel when removing tartar, the polishing paste removes these rough areas on the teeth. This helps to slow the buildup of plaque and tartar.
Finishing up. Before your pet is awakened from the sedation, your veterinarian will spray a solution of water and chlorhexidine gluconate around the teeth and gums to remove any debris and tartar from the mouth. The teeth are then dried and a fluoride treatment is applied.
 Teeth before Dental |  Teeth After Dental |
On your next visit, consider talking to your veterinarian about the oral health of your pet and how you can help your pet have a healthy smile.
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