Why should I brush my pet’s teeth?
Daily removal of plaque is the key to an effective oral hygiene program. Unless your pet’s teeth are brushed daily, plaque, which is an accumulation of bacteria, will build up at the gum line. Eventually, calculus forms, further irritating the gums, causing infection that progresses to destroy the attachment around your pet’s teeth. In addition to creating loose teeth, infection under the gum line can spread to the liver, kidneys, and heart.

How often does my pet need to have its teeth cleaned by a veterinarian?
It depends on the degree of plaque and tartar accumulation. Examine your pet’s teeth monthly. Look for an accumulation of yellow or brown material at the area where the tooth meets the gum line. Pay particular attention to the cheek teeth and canines. Once you notice plaque or tartar accumulation, it is time for a professional cleaning. Do not wait. Attached to the tartar are bacteria that are irritating gum tissues. When treated, inflammation will be resolved. When gingivitis is left untreated, it will progress to periodontitis, which is irreversible.

The intervals between teeth cleaning procedures will depend on how often you can brush your pet’s teeth. Once or twice daily is optimum. If you cannot brush your pet’s teeth, then your pet will probably need two or three professional teeth cleaning visits each year.

Can I just take my fingernail or a dental scaler to remove the calculus?
Dental disease occurs below the gum line. By removing calculus from the visible part of the tooth, you are not removing disease below the gum line. In order to help your pet, plaque and calculus must be removed from below the gum line.

Do you have to anesthetize my pet in order to clean its teeth?
Anesthesia is necessary when performing teeth cleaning. Anesthesia provides three important functions: immobilization in order to clean below the gum line, pain control, and the ability to place a tube into the windpipe so bacterial products do not enter the respiratory system.

I am concerned about the anesthesia. Is it safe?
We take every effort to ensure anesthetics are safely administered. We use the safest anesthetic agents and we strongly recommend that all dogs and cats be given preoperative tests, depending on their age and condition, to qualify them as candidates for anesthesia. Pets are monitored carefully during any anesthetic procedure.

What is involved in a professional cleaning of my pet’s teeth?
We perform fifteen separate procedures in the course of cleaning your pet’s teeth.

1. A cardiopulmonary assessment is performed before anesthesia, checking your pet’s heart, lungs, and circulatory system to ascertain if your pet is a good candidate for the anesthetic.
2. An anesthetic protocol is chosen, taking into account your pet’s general health, age, the results of the cardiopulmonary assessment, and the results of the pre-anesthetic blood work. Your pet is then anesthetized, and we continuously monitor your pet’s vital signs during the procedure.
3. We perform an oral examination of each tooth, under anesthesia.
4. Calculus is removed from the visible part of the teeth, on the cheek and the tongue sides.
5. Subgingival (below the gum line) scaling, root planing, and curettage are performed as necessary.
6. Extraction of any teeth that the veterinarian sees as infected, abscessed, or dead.
7. The teeth are then polished.
8. The mouth is irrigated to remove debris.
9. Fluoride is applied.
10. A post-cleaning oral examination is performed.
11. The pet is cleaned up, toenails are trimmed, anal sacs expressed, and, if necessary, ears are cleaned.
12. The pet is monitored during the anesthetic recovery period.
13. A dental chart is filled out to keep a record of abnormalities.
14. Antibiotics and/or other medications are prepared for home care.
15. Home care instructions are written.

How much does a teeth-cleaning procedure cost?
It is impossible to quote what the procedure will cost because we do not know what state your pet's teeth and gums are in. The range of fees is based on severity plus fees for preoperative testing, anesthesia, necessary therapy, and medication. The doctor or staff will be happy to give you an estimate once you bring your dog or cat in for the examination.

How can I tell if my pet is suffering from periodontal disease?
The leading sign is bad breath. Dogs and cats should not have disagreeable mouth odor. Bad breath comes from infection. If your pet’s breath does not smell like roses, let us examine its mouth and advise care.

When do I have to start worrying about dental problems with my pet?
As soon as puppy or kitten teeth emerge, it is time to start brushing. Although baby teeth are replaced with adult teeth, the puppy or kitten gets used to the brushing procedure, which continues for life.

What can be done if my pet has periodontal disease?
In the beginning stages, cleaning above and below the gum line as well as removal of calculus attached to the tooth will help restore periodontal health. In advanced cases, either periodontal surgery or extractions are performed. Antibiotics given monthly also help to control the progression of periodontal disease.

Which animals are most at risk for periodontal disease?
Cats and smaller breeds of dogs are more prone than larger breeds because the teeth are closer together in small dogs, and these dogs usually live longer. In general, all dogs and cats are susceptible to periodontal disease at some point in their lives. A good oral examination performed by a veterinarian can help assess this risk in your pet.

What are cat cavities?
Many cats get painful lesions at the gum line that invade the tooth pulp. Unfortunately, we do not know what causes these lesions, and the most effective treatment involves extraction of the affected tooth. Check to see if your cat has a lesion by placing a cotton-tipped applicator to the gum line and pressing. If there is a painful lesion, your cat will chatter its jaw and this lesion must be treated.