Dental hygiene is crucial for pets because it directly impacts their overall health and well-being. Poor dental care can lead to issues like bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and pain while eating. More seriously, if left untreated, dental disease in pets can cause bacteria to spread from the mouth to vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions. Maintaining good dental hygiene through regular cleanings helps prevent these problems, improves the pet's quality of life, and can extend their lifespan.
However, it may be challenging to clean your cat or dog’s teeth yourself, which is why many pet parents include dental scaling and polishing at the vet as part of their overall maintenance over the years.
If your pet is at risk of dental disease in Singapore, your veterinarian can guide you on the best care options.
What Is Dental Scaling?
Dental scaling for pets is a professional procedure that removes plaque and tartar buildup from their teeth, which regular brushing cannot achieve. It involves using specialised tools to clean the teeth, focusing on areas above and below the gum line, where bacteria and tartar can lead to periodontal disease. The process requires anaesthesia to keep the pet calm and pain-free.
Regular dental scaling is essential to prevent dental disease, improve bad breath, and protect a pet’s overall health, as oral bacteria can spread to vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys. The frequency of scaling depends on factors such as age, breed, and diet, but it is generally recommended for a dental check on an annual basis. At-home dental care, including brushing, dental sprays, dental chews, can help maintain a pet’s oral hygiene between professional cleanings, ensuring their teeth stay healthy and reducing the risk of more serious health issues.
What Is Dental Polishing?
After scaling, the tooth surface is often rough, which makes it easier for plaque to build up again. Polishing smooths the tooth’s surface to prevent future plaque accumulation. Dental polishing prolongs the effects of dental cleaning. Polishing is typically performed while the pet is under anaesthesia to ensure they remain calm and still. It’s a critical step in professional dental cleaning, helping to keep a pet’s teeth healthy, improving breath, and preventing conditions like periodontal disease. Combining dental polishing with regular at-home care, such as brushing and using dental chews [1], ensures that a pet’s mouth remains clean and healthy between veterinary visits.
Difference Between Home Cleaning and Professional Cleaning
Brushing your pet's teeth at home is essential for preventing plaque, but it can’t remove hardened tartar. Professional cleanings, which include scaling and polishing, provide deep cleaning that targets areas you can’t reach at home, ensuring thorough dental care.
Pets can suffer from many dental issues [2], including gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth decay. Poor diets, especially those high in sugars or processed foods, can worsen these conditions. Providing your pet with a balanced diet that promotes oral health is essential.
Dental disease doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth. It can also lead to infections that spread throughout the body. Bacteria from gum infections can enter the bloodstream and impact the heart, kidneys, and other vital organs, [3] making dental care crucial for overall health.
Signs Your Pet Needs Professional Dental Care
Here are common signs that your pet may require professional dental care:
If any of these signs are present, it's important to schedule a dental checkup with your veterinarian.
Beyond preventing serious health issues, maintaining good dental hygiene for pets offers several other benefits that improve their overall health, comfort, and quality of life, including:
Before a dental cleaning, your vet will assess your pet’s oral health and overall condition. This evaluation ensures that your pet is healthy enough to undergo the procedure and identifies any specific dental issues that need addressing.
Several pet owners are apprehensive about procedures such as dental cleaning because their pet needs to be put under anaesthesia. However, it’s essential for pets to be under anaesthesia during a dental cleaning to ensure they remain still and relaxed. This allows the vet to thoroughly clean all areas of the mouth without causing stress or discomfort to your pet.
Anaesthesia-free dental cleaning [4] does exist, but it may not be as effective as traditional dental cleanings, as it typically focuses only on visible surfaces, leaving plaque and tartar below the gum line unaddressed. Additionally, some pets may find the procedure stressful, especially if they are not used to having their mouths handled, which could lead to anxiety or aggression. Anaesthesia-free cleanings also cannot effectively treat serious dental issues like tooth decay or advanced gingivitis, as these conditions often require more thorough intervention. Typically, that type of cleaning is only recommended when your pet has health issues or is of advanced age where anaesthesia administration is not possible.
Before dental scaling and polishing for your pet, you can expect the following steps:
How Often Should Pets Undergo Dental Cleaning?
Pets should generally undergo professional dental cleaning at least once a year, although the exact frequency can vary based on several factors, including the pet's age, breed, diet, and oral health history.
Costs and Factors of Dental Cleaning for Pets
The cost of dental cleaning can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and your location. This variation is influenced by several factors, including the size of the pet, any existing dental issues, and whether extractions are necessary.
While these expenses might seem substantial, investing in regular dental care is crucial for preventing more significant medical costs in the future. Neglecting dental hygiene can lead to serious health problems, including periodontal disease, heart conditions, and kidney issues, which can be far more expensive and complicated to treat.
For example, untreated dental problems may require extractions or surgeries,[6] creating a financial burden for pet owners. By prioritising routine dental cleanings and preventative care, owners can not only save money but also ensure their pets maintain better overall health.
There are many misconceptions about pet dental care, such as the belief that pets don’t need anaesthesia for cleaning or that dental care isn’t necessary for young animals. In reality, professional dental care is essential, and anaesthesia ensures the procedure is safe and effective. While anaesthesia carries some risks, they are generally minimal, especially with modern veterinary practices. Your vet will take precautions to ensure your pet’s safety throughout the procedure.
When considering dental cleaning for pets, it is important to recognise and understand the risks associated with anaesthesia, which, while generally safe, can present complications such as adverse reactions or respiratory issues, particularly in older or health-compromised animals.
Inadequate dental care can lead to serious complications, including periodontal disease, resulting in tooth loss, pain, and systemic health issues affecting organs like the heart and kidneys. To mitigate these risks and prevent dental problems from escalating, pet owners should prioritise regular at-home dental care, such as daily brushing, offering dental chews, and using specialised dental products.
Choosing the right veterinarian is also crucial. Pet owners should seek professionals with expertise in dental procedures and a strong focus on pre-anesthetic assessments and post-operative care to ensure their pet's safety and well-being. Feel free to ask the veterinarian questions during your consultation to put your mind at ease.
Need to schedule a professional dental cleaning appointment for your pet? Our veterinarian is experienced in dental scaling and polishing for cats and dogs. Contact us today to book an appointment.
In between dental cleaning visits, you can take measures to maintain oral hygiene for your pets. These include:
Regular dental scaling and polishing are critical for your pet's health and well-being. By staying proactive with your pet’s oral care, you can prevent serious health problems, improve their quality of life, and ensure they live longer and healthier lives.
How often should I brush my pet’s teeth?
Daily brushing is ideal, but even a few times a week can make a significant difference.
How can I tell if my pet has dental disease?
Bad breath, yellow teeth, red gums, and difficulty eating are some common signs.
Neglecting dental care can lead to serious health issues, including gum disease, tooth loss, and systemic infections affecting major organs.
Is anaesthesia safe for dental cleaning?
While anaesthesia carries some risks, it is generally safe for healthy pets.