Have you ever wondered what goes on once a pet is dropped off at our hospital for a dental cleaning? In honor of National Pet Dental Health month, we are happy to discuss the process with you.

Once a pet is dropped off early in the morning, they receive a full doctor’s examination including a weight and temperature reading to continue to ensure anesthetic safety. Next, a technician will administer an injectable medication with a mild sedative effect that will promote your pet’s comfort and help manage any potential pain throughout the day. This medication is short acting and often repeated 2-3 times during the course of the day. As another anesthetic safety precaution, an IV catheter is placed in order to administer IV fluids for some time before the actual procedure begins.

Once a pet is under general anesthesia and intubated, the technician performs a full set of dental radiographs for the doctor to review which can uncover many otherwise hidden dental health problems such as retained roots, bone loss, and underlying abscess. Next, the technician will use an ultrasonic scaler to remove any tartar on the teeth and under the gumline. Since the scaler leaves microscopic scrapes on the tooth enamel, the technician will polish the teeth to prevent future plaque and tartar accumulation. Along with providing the ability to regulate breathing, the endotracheal tube that was placed at the beginning of anesthesia will prevent the airborne tartar and bacteria from being inhaled. Your pet’s safety is even furthered by the comprehensive monitoring occurring throughout the entire procedure. While under general anesthesia, a pet’s heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen level, blood pressure, and temperature at the very least are continuously monitored and recorded. If teeth extractions are performed, then additional post-extraction radiographs, pain medicine, and local nerve blocks are also performed. At the time of patient discharge, we will give you before and after pictures, dental radiographs, and detailed instructions for after care for your pet.  Finally, we recommend a complimentary recheck one week after the dental procedure to check the mouth and discuss at-home dental care.

Please contact us if you have any questions about your pet’s dental health or would like a complimentary preliminary dental assessment performed. You can also learn more by visiting our Dental Care page.