Anatomy of a Dental Cleaning

Now that your pet has been diagnosed with dental disease and you’ve scheduled a cleaning, we’re going to discuss what occurs while you pet is here having their teeth cared for. Since pets are not going to lie still with their mouths open voluntarily, full anesthesia is required to thoroughly clean their teeth. We understand that many pet owners are concerned about the risks of anesthetizing their pets. To minimize this risk, our hospital uses modern anesthetics that are safe, even for older pets. We also recommend blood work prior to anesthesia to evaluate organ function (organs need to be healthy to process anesthesia) and to check for anemia. We also recommend the use of intravenous fluids during the dental cleaning to support blood pressure and increase hydration.

Once under anesthesia, the tartar is removed from the teeth with a special tool called a hand-scaler. The teeth are cleaned both below and above the gum line because above the gum line is where tartar does the most damage. When the tartar is cleaned from above the gum line this gives the gums a chance to re-attach to the teeth and can prevent tooth decay and loss. Once the tartar is removed a complete oral exam is done to check for broken teeth and other problems such as pockets in the gums. Pockets in the gums provide a place for abscesses (pockets of infection) to form and can suggest underlying problems with the tooth’s root. If a tooth looks suspicious, radiographs can be taken to evaluate the strength of the root. Any teeth that have loose roots, big pockets, or are fractured need to be extracted. If your pet has a tooth extracted he will receive pain medication to ease recovery. Once diseased teeth are extracted the remaining teeth are cleaned with a stain remover and are polished to give your pet a beautiful white smile. Next, your pet’s teeth are treated with fluoride to strengthen the enamel of the teeth and protect against decay. Finally, we seal the teeth to slow the build-up of tartar and extend the amount of time between cleanings. Dental care doesn’t end at the vet’s office. There is a lot you can do at home to keep your pet’s mouth healthy which we’ll discuss next week in “At Home Dental Care”.