What happens when a dog or cat has its teeth cleaned by a veterinarian?

Once your pet is anesthetized, the teeth are again examined, and a veterinary technician removes any heavy deposits with an ultrasonic scaler. Bad breath and dental infection almost always occur beneath the gumline. The areas between the teeth and beneath the gumline are curetted by hand, and the teeth are polished and the mouth and the delicate tissues rinsed. Often, after the deposits have been removed, the teeth are discovered to be infected, loose, chipped or eroded. X-rays are frequently taken to discover the extent of the problem and to plan the appropriate treatment. If necessary, tooth repair, extractions or gum treatment is performed, including an oral soak of the unhealthy gums. The entire procedure of a routine cleaning above and beneath the gumline usually requires 20-30 minutes in a cat and 40-90 minutes in a dog.

Once your pet is anesthetized, the teeth are again examined, and a veterinary technician removes any heavy deposits with an ultrasonic scaler. Bad breath and dental infection almost always occur beneath the gumline. The areas between the teeth and beneath the gumline are curetted by hand, and the teeth are polished and the mouth and the delicate tissues rinsed. Often, after the deposits have been removed, the teeth are discovered to be infected, loose, chipped or eroded. X-rays are frequently taken to discover the extent of the problem and to plan the appropriate treatment. If necessary, tooth repair, extractions or gum treatment is performed, including an oral soak of the unhealthy gums. The entire procedure of a routine cleaning above and beneath the gumline usually requires 20-30 minutes in a cat and 40-90 minutes in a dog.