Many misconceptions about dental cleanings for pets circulate among pet owners, who are often confused about what happens during the procedure, how veterinary procedures differ from anesthesia-free cleanings, and why cleanings are even essential for pets. We uncover the truth about your pet’s oral health and what happens during a professional dental cleaning—read on for myths versus the truth of pet dental disease.

Myth #1: Unlike people, pets do not require regular professional dental care

Truth: A common misconception is that pets take care of their own dental health by chewing on dry kibble, treats, and toys, but chewing is not enough to keep plaque and tartar at bay. Cats and dogs require as much dental care as people, and their teeth should be brushed at home daily and cleaned professionally once or twice per year, depending on their overall and oral health. In addition, offering your pet approved dental health products, such as chews, treats, prescription diets, food and water additives, and oral sprays, rinses, and wipes, can help.

Myth #2: Anesthesia-free dental cleanings are as effective as those performed by veterinary professionals

Truth: We get it—the thought of your pet undergoing anesthesia can be scary. However, performing a dental cleaning without anesthesia would scare your pet much more. During an anesthesia-free cleaning—which anyone can perform—your pet receives no sedating or pain-alleviating medications. Instead, they are restrained while someone scrapes away tartar with sharp metal instruments. If you struggle to simply brush your pet’s teeth, imagine how frightened your pet would be when they are treated by a stranger.

Individualized anesthetic protocols based on your pet’s pre-anesthetic exam and testing provide the safest dental cleaning experience, for our team and your pet. General anesthesia completely eliminates your pet’s anxiety and pain, and we also use local anesthetic agents that provide long-lasting pain relief for extractions. Anesthesia-free cleanings do not provide pain control while tartar is scraped away from gingival margins, much less extractions. Additionally, using dental X-rays taken while your pet is under anesthesia, we can evaluate the health of the 60% of tooth structure hiding below the gum line. We can also safely and effectively remove plaque and tartar from the gingival sulcus, which is the space between the teeth and gums where oral bacteria cause the most damage.

Anesthesia-free cleanings essentially give your pet a pretty smile that is only crown deep. They do not address deeper problems, and they can cause your pet a great deal of fear, anxiety, and discomfort. If you have concerns about anesthesia being required for your pet’s dental cleaning, contact our team.

Myth #3: Dental disease is easily treated in pets

Truth: Dental disease forms quickly in pets, and is impossible to reverse through at-home care alone. Plaque begins forming on your pet’s teeth only 24 hours after eating, and then hardens into tartar in 72 hours. A mere two weeks later, gingivitis appears, because oral bacteria are infiltrating the periodontal structures. Such rapid disease development means you must not only stay on top of your pet’s oral health at home, but also schedule regular dental cleanings to remove plaque and tartar a toothbrush cannot reach.

Myth #4: Dental cleanings for pets are no more than a thorough toothbrushing

Truth: A dental cleaning is a fancy term for brushing teeth at a veterinary hospital, right? While a dental cleaning is the term commonly used to describe how we care for your pet’s oral health, what we do is so much more than a simple toothbrushing. In fact, a dental cleaning is also much more than a cleaning. A more correct term for this procedure is a comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment (COHAT). We not only remove plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth—we also take dental X-rays, diagnose dental issues, and provide appropriate treatment for diseased and damaged teeth.

Myth #5: Professional dental cleanings are too expensive to pay for preventive care

Truth: You wouldn’t see your dentist only when you have an excruciating toothache, when regular cleaning appointments could prevent that. So, why would you put your pet through the pain of untreated dental disease? A dental cleaning performed for a pet with Grade I dental disease is much more economical than one that consists of several tooth extractions because of severe periodontal disease. Budgeting for prophylactic dental cleanings that remove plaque and tartar to prevent gingivitis and more severe disease not only saves you money, but also prevents your pet from suffering unnecessary pain and infection. 

Professional dental cleanings are a must to keep your four-legged friend’s mouth in good health. If you have questions about the procedure, or want to know when your pet’s next cleaning is due, contact our North Waterloo Veterinary Hospital team.