Proper cleaning of the teeth requires complete cooperation of the patient so that plaque and tartar can be removed properly. Anesthesia is required to thoroughly clean the teeth. Many owners have a high degree of anxiety related to general anesthesia for their pets. While there is always a degree of risk with any anesthetic, be aware that your pet's health may ultimately be compromised by delaying proper dental care.
To minimize risk, our hospital uses modern anesthetics that are deemed safe even for older pets. Also recommended and available is pre-anesthetic blood work that may be performed prior to anesthesia to detect health problems that might affect your pet under anesthesia.
There are four steps in the cleaning process that will be used on your pet:
- Scaling removes the tartar above and below the gum line. This is done with hand instruments and ultrasonic cleaning equipment. The tartar which is under the gums must be removed for a dental cleaning to be complete.
- Polishing smooths the surface of the teeth, making them resistant to additional plaque formation.
- Flushing removes dislodged tartar from the teeth and helps to remove the bacteria that accompany tartar.
- Fluoride Coating decreases teeth sensitivity, strengthens enamel, and decreases the rate of future plaque formation.
For answers to any of your dental-related questions or to schedule a dentistry for your pet, call our office today.