Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I clean my pet’s teeth?
Because you care about your pet. Just like us, dogs and cats build plaque and tartar on their teeth over time. Left untreated, plaque and tartar can cause gingivitis, bad breath, tooth loss and make eating a painful experience. Even worse, plaque & calculus harbor bacteria that can contribute to other local and systemic diseases.
Do clean teeth matter?
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to care for you pet’s long term health begins with proper dental hygiene. Regular dental care helps avoid gum disease, eliminate plaque and tartar buildup and keeps teeth healthy and bright.
But dental hygiene is about more than just good breathe. Statistics show that over 80% of dogs and cats will develop mild to moderate dental disease by the time they’re just 3-years old. The toxins from periodontal disease are absorbed directly into your pet’s blood stream and as the kidneys, liver, and brain filter the blood, small infections occur that can cause permanent and at times fatal organ damage.
Simple, preventative dental care virtually eliminates nearly 90% of all gum related diseases, improves your pet’s long term health and doesn’t have to be costly, dangerous or time consuming.
How can I tell if my pet’s teeth need cleaning?
Look for a yellow or brown build-up on the tooth surface and areas of inflammation around the gum line. Chronic bad breath is often an early indicator of poor dental hygiene. If you are unsure, email us a photo of your pet’s teeth for a free evaluation— just be sure he or she smiles wide.
How often should I clean my pet’s teeth?
The frequency of dental cleanings depends on diet, age, health, breed and the amount (if any) of home dental care. Generally speaking, pets over two years old should have a professional dental cleaning about every 6-12 months.
How do you hold the pet still?
Carefully. Our well trained technicians comfortably position your pet on the floor using gentle relaxation techniques which allow the pet to feel safe & comfortable. Even feisty pets with challenging personalities are usually very cooperative. Some even fall asleep.
Does it hurt the pet?
Absolutely not. We use the same gentle approach as a pediatric dental office uses with children.
How does non anesthetic cleaning compare to using anesthesia?
The results are the same for most routine cleanings. Pets with behavioral issues or advanced dental conditions may have some slight compromise, but most results are 80-95%. Mouths that have been neglected often require more than one appointment to restore oral health.
Can you clean subgingivally?
The short answer is yes for most pets with normal sulcus attachment and on those with mild to moderate pocketing.
Do you polish?
Yes we do! Polishing removes any residual stains & minute deposits on affected surfaces. We adhere to the American Dental Hygienists protocol of Selective Coronal Polishing.
What equipment do you use?
We use an array of professional dental instruments specifically designed for each pet’s individual needs.
What pets are eligible for non-anesthetic dental cleaning?
Eligible patients include:
- Dogs & cats of all ages whose owners are concerned about the risks of anesthesia.
- Young pets needing their 1st dental prophylaxis.
- Pets under the age of 15
- Pets with healthy gingiva & mild to heavy calculus.
- Pets with stages 0-3 periodontal disease.
- Pets with medical conditions such as heart murmurs, collapsed tracheas, renal & liver conditions, Chrohn’s disease, Addison’s disease, diabetes, etc.
Is anesthesia free cleaning appropriate for every dog and cat?
Unfortunately, not every pet is a good candidate for anesthesia free cleaning.
- Pets with aggressive personalities or some form of dementia usually don’t cooperate with technicians and are therefore not good candidates.
- High risk breeds such as brachychephalics.
- Pets with complications such as: advanced periodontal disease, deep fractures, mobile teeth, epulis or lesions cannot be cleaned using a non-anesthetic approach.