12/21/2021
Common questions about non‑anesthetic dental cleanings for dogs & cats:
1. How important is a dental cleaning?
Just like people, pets often have problems with gum disease and plaque and tartar build-up on their teeth. In fact, by three years of age, a majority of dogs and cats will have mild-to-moderate dental disease that would benefit from a dental cleaning. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to more serious health complications, some of which may extend far beyond your pet’s teeth.
2. Can your pet’s teeth be cleaned without anesthesia? Is it safe?
During a non-anesthetic dental cleaning your pet’s teeth are scraped above and below the gum line. All plaque and tartar are gently removed and rinsed away.
This is a non-invasive procedure that is very similar to when we go to the dentist to get our teeth cleaned. Every pet is treated as an individual and special instruments typically with blunt edges are used to clean the teeth and any areas that may need a deeper cleaning. The entire cleaning is under an hour.
3. What pets are good candidates?
If your dog or cat has a small amount of tartar, and the veterinarian or technician doesn’t find any deep pockets during the initial exam, and the pet is friendly (cooperative) then your dog or cat will benefit from non-anesthetic dental cleanings.
Senior pets are wonderful candidates for this type of dental cleaning. Older dogs can be prone to hypothermia which will slow their metabolism and recovery from anesthesia. With that in mind, other complications include low blood pressure, low heart rate, or low blood oxygen so a comprehensive exam should be given to determine the most appropriate procedure. Non-anesthetic dental cleanings are a great alternative.
