Many adult dogs and cats have dental disease. Often the owner does not see it. Pets hide pain well, and most of the disease is below the gum line.
Many owners ask us what happens on the day of a dental cleaning. This guide tells you the general steps. Each pet is different, so the vet tells you the plan for your pet.
Why dental care is important
Plaque is a soft layer of bacteria on the teeth. After some time, plaque becomes hard tartar. Tartar and bacteria go below the gum line. There they damage the gums, the bone and the tissues that hold the teeth.
This disease can cause:
- pain
- bad breath
- red or bleeding gums
- loose teeth
- infection
The WSAVA dental guidelines say that untreated dental disease is a serious welfare problem for pets.
Signs to look for
Look at the mouth of your pet regularly. Book a dental check if you see:
- bad breath
- red gums, or blood on toys
- brown tartar on the teeth
- a broken tooth
- chewing on one side of the mouth
- dropping food, or a slow or difficult meal
- pawing at the mouth or the face
- less interest in food or toys
Some pets show no signs at all. That is why the vet checks the teeth at every health check.
Step 1: The dental check
First, your pet has a consultation. The vet:
- Looks at the teeth and the gums.
- Examines the general health of your pet.
- Asks about food, behaviour and any medicines.
- Tells you if your pet needs a cleaning or other treatment.
- Checks that your pet is healthy enough for anaesthesia.
Sometimes the vet recommends tests before the anaesthesia, for example a blood test. This helps the vet to plan safe anaesthesia. It is very important for older pets and for pets with other illnesses. Read more about our diagnostics.
The vet also gives you an estimate before the procedure. The final cost depends on the weight of your pet and the teeth that need treatment. You can see our dental prices on the prices page.
Step 2: Before the day
We tell you when your pet must stop eating before the procedure. Follow this time carefully. Food in the stomach can be dangerous during anaesthesia.
Ask us about water and about the normal medicines of your pet. Do not stop a medicine unless the vet tells you to.
Step 3: Admission
On the day, you bring your pet to the clinic. A team member:
- Checks the details of your pet.
- Asks when your pet ate last.
- Confirms your phone number, so we can call you during the day.
- Answers your questions.
Step 4: Anaesthesia and monitoring
A good dental cleaning needs general anaesthesia. At Pet Avenue, we use inhalation anaesthesia, with monitoring.
Why is anaesthesia necessary? A pet does not stay still for cleaning below the gum line. Also, the pet does not understand what happens. Anaesthesia lets the vet clean each tooth safely and completely. It also prevents pain and fear during the procedure.
A team member monitors your pet during the full procedure. Anaesthesia always has some risk, but careful checks and monitoring make it as safe as possible.
Step 5: Examination of each tooth
When your pet is asleep, the vet can examine the full mouth. The vet checks each tooth and the gums around it. This includes the back teeth and the inner surfaces, which the vet cannot see well when the pet is awake.
Step 6: Dental X-rays
Dental X-rays show the roots of the teeth and the bone below the gum line. The AAHA dental guidelines say that many teeth that look normal have problems that only X-rays can show.
The vet decides which X-rays are necessary for your pet.
Step 7: Scaling and polishing
The vet removes plaque and tartar from the teeth. This includes the area below the gum line, where most of the disease starts.
After scaling, the surface of the teeth is a little rough. The team polishes the teeth to make the surface smooth again. A smooth surface collects plaque more slowly.
Step 8: Treatment of damaged teeth
Some teeth are too damaged to save. For example, a tooth can be broken, very loose or painful. The vet removes these teeth.
Sometimes the vet finds a problem that was not in the plan. Before the day, ask the vet how they will contact you in this case. Make sure that we can call you on the day.
Pets eat well with fewer teeth. A painful tooth causes much more trouble than a gap.
Step 9: Recovery
After the procedure, your pet wakes up slowly. The team watches your pet carefully.
Most pets go home on the same day. When you collect your pet, we tell you:
- what we found and what we did
- how to feed your pet for the next days
- how to give any medicine
- when to come back for a check
At home after the procedure
Your pet can be sleepy on the evening after the procedure. This is normal after anaesthesia.
Follow the instructions of the vet about food. If the vet removed teeth, your pet can need soft food for some days.
Call us if your pet:
- does not eat on the next day
- bleeds from the mouth
- shows signs of pain
- vomits more than once
- is very weak or is not normal
Is cleaning without anaesthesia a good choice?
Some groomers and other businesses offer "anaesthesia-free" teeth cleaning. The teeth can look white after it. But the AVDC says that this type of cleaning cannot clean below the gum line. It also cannot find disease below the gum line. WSAVA also rejects anaesthesia-free dentistry.
Clean, white teeth do not always mean a healthy mouth.
Keep the teeth clean at home
Home care helps to keep the teeth healthy between visits. PDSA says that brushing is the best way to prevent dental disease.
- Use a pet toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste.
- Start slowly. First, let your pet taste the toothpaste.
- Next, use a finger brush for some days.
- Then use a soft pet toothbrush.
- Brush every day if possible.
- Give praise and a small reward after each brushing.
Puppies and kittens learn this most easily. Start when your pet is young. Read more about puppy and kitten care.
Some pets do not accept brushing. Ask us about other options, for example dental chews. Always watch your pet with a chew. PDSA advises against bones and very hard chews, because they can break teeth.
How often does my pet need a cleaning?
It depends on the pet. Many pets need one every one to two years. Small dogs often need more dental care. The vet tells you the correct plan at each check-up.
Book a dental check
Do you see tartar, bad breath or red gums? Book a dental check. You can read more on our dental care page. For older pets, read about our senior pet care.
We are open every day from 10am to 10pm. Call us on +971 54 746 6650, or send a WhatsApp message to 058 517 3440.
Sources
- American Animal Hospital Association, "2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats": aaha.org (PDF)
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association, "Global Dental Guidelines": wsava.org (PDF)
- American Veterinary Dental College, "Risks of anesthesia free pet dental cleanings": afd.avdc.org
- PDSA, "Dental care for dogs": pdsa.org.uk
- PDSA, "Dental care for cats": pdsa.org.uk
This article is general information. It is not a diagnosis. For an emergency, call us.
This article is general information. It is not a diagnosis. For an emergency, call us. Call +971 54 746 6650 (Daily 10am–10pm). We are not a 24-hour emergency hospital. From 10pm to 10am, take your pet to the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
Want a vet to check your pet?
Book a visit at Pet Avenue Clinic in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC). Open every day, 10am – 10pm.