Pet Teeth Cleaning: What to Expect at the Vet Dentist

Ever taken your dog or cat to a vet dentist for professional dental cleaning? As far as pet dental care goes it stands to save you a whopping lot of hassle down the line.

Professional dental cleaning for dogs and cats could save your pet’s oral health from deteriorating. It could save them from toothy troubles and you from vet dental bills (thankfully, PD Insurance has a dental pet insurance option).

So what happens in a professional doggy or kitty tooth cleaning? Find out here.

Do cats and dogs need professional teeth cleaning?

Just like people, pets can experience an accumulative build-up of oral bacteria. These in turn can turn to plaque and tartar causing gingivitis and periodontal disease.

According to research, up to 90% of dogs over three years old get periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease happens because of plaque below the gum line. Even if you’re good at brushing your pet’s teeth, it’s hard to clean beneath the gum. That’s why your best bet is professional cat or dog dental cleaning with a vet dentist.

Professional dental cleaning with a vet dentist

Preventative pet dental care can have invaluable long term benefits. It’s also one of those pesky treatments you simply can’t do at home.

It’s hard enough getting a toddler to sit still and let you brush their teeth. But getting a dog or cat to chill and stay still while a vet dentist do a bit of scaling, and scraping. Nah-uh – there’s no meow or bow-wow that’s gonna be like, “hey sure, let’s get those canines sparkling!”

But in their own way, they will be grateful down the line. So what happens during a vet dental cleaning? Take a look…

Steps involved in professional pet dental cleaning

• Anaesthetic. First things first is that your vet dentist will need to put your dog or cat under general anaesthetic to get them ready for the dental cleaning.
• Vet dental exam. Next your vet dentist will do an oral exam. It’s much like when your dentist does a check-up and inspects your mouth for any signs of issues that might need more attention. This process can include special tools to inspect the health of the gums and X-rays to see beneath the gum line.
• Dental cleaning. Your dog or cat now gets a dental cleaning both on their visible teeth and beneath the gum line. The vet dentist will do a scale and polish much like an oral hygienist does for you or I. This helps get rid of plaque and tartar.

What if your vet dentist discovers underlying problems?

If your vet dentist discovers any bigger toothy issues during the cleaning, like an infection, periodontal disease, abscess or a broken tooth, for example, then they’ll need to talk to you about treatment. (So it’s a good idea to stay at the clinic or keep your phone on during the appointment).

If you and they agree, then may start the first phase of treatment right away. Or you may want to give more thought to what’s needed before booking in your precious pet for treatment. It can also be useful learning what’s covered by pet dental insurance.

That way, if your dog lands up with toothy troubles covered by their plan, you won’t have to foot the vet bill alone. Here’s what PD pet parent, Jacob Rupene has to say about making a pet dental claim:

What happens after dog and cat dental cleaning?

If the dog or cat dental cleaning went according to plan then it’s back to normal once home. Your dog or cat can eat and drink like they normally do.

Your vet will share an update on the procedure and may arm you with some good advice for general pet dental care, like cat teeth cleaning and dog teeth cleaning.

How often should your dog see the vet dentist?

Maintaining an annual trip to the vet dentist is a great way to keep on top of your pet’s dental health. Your vet will be able to assess for changes and if any nasty oral issues pop-up, these can be nipped in the bud.

Some pets may need to see their vet dentist more regularly. For example, pets with underlying health conditions or is in their senior years. Additionally, some cat and dog breeds are prone to dental problems (for example, brachycephalic breeds).

“Dental healthcare is crucial for pets, yet many owners don’t take it seriously. They think giving a dog a bone is enough for dental hygiene. This is especially problematic for small dogs, who can’t even open their mouths wide enough to effectively chew bones, leading to tartar buildup.”

– Michelle Le Long, PD Insurance COO

And, while it may surprise you, dogs with fangs that protrude in unexpected directions may benefit from dog braces! Find out how to choose the best pet dental insurance for your cat or dog.

People often underestimate how activities like rock fetching or intense tug-of-war can harm their pet’s teeth and jaw.

Award winning pet insurance with dental cover

Preventative care is one of those magic things – do it right and you never know how much trouble you saved your pet and your pocket. Pet insurance is slightly different because when you claim for unforeseen vet bills and your cover pays out, you know exactly how much value you get.

With PD Insurance, you’ll also get up to one month or more FREE pet insurance when you buy an online cat insurance or dog insurance plan. Get a quote today – simply click below.