Dental Care & Professional Dental Cleanings

Dental health is an important part of your pet’s overall health. At Bayside Hospital for Animals, professional dental cleanings allow our veterinary team to thoroughly examine your pet’s mouth, remove plaque and tartar, evaluate the teeth above and below the gumline, and identify dental disease that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Dogs and cats can develop plaque, tartar, gingivitis, periodontal disease, fractured teeth, tooth root problems, and other painful oral conditions. Because pets often continue eating despite dental discomfort, dental disease may be more advanced than it appears at home.

Regular dental examinations and professional cleanings can help keep your pet’s mouth healthier and allow dental problems to be identified and addressed.

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

A professional veterinary dental cleaning involves much more than removing visible tartar from the surface of the teeth.

Your pet’s dental procedure may include:

• Complete oral examination

• Dental radiographs

• Scaling above and below the gumline

• Polishing

• Evaluation for periodontal disease

• Assessment for loose, fractured, damaged, or diseased teeth

• Treatment recommendations based on examination and radiographic findings

Dental Radiographs

A large portion of each tooth lies below the gumline, where problems cannot always be identified through visual examination alone.

Dental radiographs, commonly called dental X-rays, allow our veterinary team to evaluate the portions of the teeth and surrounding structures that cannot be fully seen during an oral examination.

Dental radiographs can help identify problems such as:

• Tooth root disease

• Bone loss associated with periodontal disease

• Fractured teeth and roots

• Retained tooth roots

• Tooth resorption

• Abnormal or unerupted teeth

• Other changes below the gumline

Radiographs provide important information that helps your veterinarian determine whether a tooth is healthy or requires treatment.

Scaling

During a professional dental cleaning, specialized instruments are used to remove plaque and hardened tartar (calculus) from the teeth.

Above the Gumline

Visible plaque and tartar are carefully removed from the surfaces of the teeth.

Below the Gumline

Cleaning below the gumline is especially important because this is where periodontal disease can develop and progress.

Removing plaque and tartar from these areas helps reduce the bacteria and debris contributing to inflammation and periodontal disease.

Polishing

After scaling, the teeth are professionally polished.

Scaling removes plaque and tartar but can leave microscopic irregularities on the tooth surface. Polishing helps smooth these surfaces and removes residual plaque.

A smoother tooth surface can make it more difficult for plaque to immediately adhere following the cleaning.

Why Is Anesthesia Needed?

A thorough veterinary dental cleaning is performed under general anesthesia.

Anesthesia allows our veterinary team to safely and thoroughly:

• Examine each tooth and the entire mouth

• Obtain diagnostic dental radiographs

• Scale above and below the gumline

• Polish all surfaces of the teeth

• Evaluate periodontal pockets and other abnormalities

• Perform necessary dental treatment without causing fear, stress, or discomfort

Anesthesia also helps protect your pet’s airway from water, plaque, tartar, and other debris produced during the cleaning.

Before anesthesia, your veterinarian will evaluate your pet and may recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork or additional diagnostic testing based on your pet’s age, health, and medical history.

What If Dental Disease Is Found?

Sometimes dental disease is more extensive than what can be seen during an awake examination.

Once your pet is anesthetized and dental radiographs have been obtained, your veterinarian may identify damaged, infected, loose, fractured, or otherwise diseased teeth that require additional treatment.

When a tooth cannot be saved or is causing pain or infection, extraction may be recommended.

Our goal is not simply to make the teeth look cleaner. The goal is to leave your pet with a healthier and more comfortable mouth.

Benefits of a Professional Dental Cleaning

Professional dental care can provide several important benefits for your pet.

Removes Plaque & Tartar

Scaling removes accumulated plaque and hardened tartar from areas that cannot be adequately cleaned through brushing alone once calculus has formed.

Helps Manage Periodontal Disease

Cleaning above and below the gumline helps address the plaque and bacteria associated with gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Identifies Hidden Dental Problems

Dental radiographs and a complete oral examination can reveal problems that may not be visible during a routine awake examination.

Addresses Painful Teeth

Fractured, infected, loose, resorptive, or otherwise diseased teeth can cause significant discomfort even when a pet does not show obvious signs of pain.

Improves Breath

Dental disease and bacterial buildup are common causes of persistent bad breath. Professional dental care can help address the underlying oral disease contributing to odor.

Supports Long-Term Oral Health

Routine dental evaluations, professional cleanings when indicated, and appropriate home care can help maintain healthier teeth and gums throughout your pet’s life.

Signs Your Pet May Have Dental Disease

Dental disease is not always obvious. Contact us if you notice:

• Bad breath

• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums

• Yellow or brown tartar buildup

• Loose or broken teeth

• Drooling

• Pawing or rubbing at the mouth

• Difficulty chewing

• Dropping food while eating

• Chewing primarily on one side

• Reluctance to eat hard food

• Swelling around the mouth or face

• Changes in appetite or eating habits

Some pets with significant dental disease show few or no noticeable signs at home, which is why routine oral examinations are important.

Dental Care at Home

Professional dental cleanings are only one part of maintaining good oral health.

Home dental care can help slow the accumulation of plaque between professional cleanings. Regular tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste is one of the most effective forms of home dental care.

Your veterinary team may also recommend appropriate dental diets, treats, chews, or other oral-health products based on your pet’s individual needs.

Never use human toothpaste for your pet.

Dental Care at Bayside

At Bayside Hospital for Animals, we evaluate your pet’s dental health during routine examinations and can help determine when a professional dental cleaning is recommended.

The frequency of dental cleanings varies between individual pets. Age, breed, genetics, home dental care, previous dental disease, and the condition of your pet’s teeth and gums can all influence how frequently professional care is needed.

Concerned about your pet’s teeth or noticing bad breath? Ask our veterinary team about a dental evaluation.

Dental recommendations are individualized based on your pet’s oral examination, dental radiographs, age, medical history, and overall health. Additional treatment, including dental extractions, may be recommended when diseased or painful teeth are identified.