FAQs

Dental cleanings are actually a procedure that require anesthetic sedation/monitoring, and full mouth dental x-rays. Our technicians and doctors evaluate all of the patient’s teeth and remove/restore any damaged teeth, and clean beneath the gumline. This cannot be done safely/effectively without full anesthesia. Some places offer “non-anesthetic dental cleanings” that are much less expensive, where the patient is awake for the scraping of plaque from the surface of their teeth, and does not address beneath the gum line, nor any damaged teeth; however, this is NOT recommended as it is purely cosmetic and does nothing for your pet’s overall health.

Gum disease is extremely common in cats and dogs. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, gum disease is caused by the accumulation of bacteria (plaque) at the gum line due, in part, to a lack of proper oral hygiene. Other contributing factors may include breed, genetics, age, and diet. As the number of bacteria below the gumline increases, bacterial waste products, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, acids, and other compounds, accumulate and cause infection (inflammation); this infection often spreads deeper into the tooth socket, causing further damage to the supporting tissues of the animals tooth, and destroying the bone. There are 2 forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis, both can wreak havoc on your pets oral and overall health if left untreated. To learn more about dental disease and its stages, download our “Flip The Lip” handout.