21 Aug Why Your Pet Needs a Dental Cleaning — A Veterinarian’s Perspective
As a veterinarian committed to providing the highest quality care, I want to share something that is often overlooked but absolutely essential to your pet’s health: a professional pet dental cleaning. If you think pet dental care is just about fresh breath or clean-looking teeth, let me assure you—it goes much deeper. Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in adult dogs and cats, and it’s almost entirely preventable with routine dental care, including professional cleanings.
Here’s why your pet truly needs a dental cleaning—and why it’s not just a cosmetic procedure, but a crucial part of comprehensive veterinary care.
1. Dental Disease Isn’t Just in the Mouth
By the time most pets are two years old, they already show signs of dental disease. Left untreated, bacteria from plaque and tartar buildup can enter the bloodstream through inflamed gums. Once in the bloodstream, these bacteria can affect major organs, especially the heart, liver, and kidneys. This contributes to serious and sometimes irreversible health problems.
There is a definite association between periodontal disease and negative tissue changes in the heart, liver and kidneys. More importantly, as periodontal disease worsens, the negative tissue changes in these organs worsen as well. A dental cleaning isn’t just about removing unsightly tartar; it’s about preventing systemic disease that starts silently in the mouth.
2. Most Dental Problems Are Hidden Below the Gumline
Your pet’s teeth might look okay to you, but problems often lurk where you can’t see them—beneath the gumline. That’s where infection, bone loss, and root abscesses can silently take hold.
During a professional cleaning, your veterinarian and their team will perform full-mouth dental radiographs (X-rays) to evaluate the roots and supporting structures of each tooth. This allows early detection of issues before they cause pain or require more invasive treatments.
At Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has replaced full mouth dental radiographs in most cases. CBCT scanning is faster than dental radiographs and allows significantly more detail in images that are 3D as compared to 2D dental radiographs. We are proud to say that Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery in Colorado Springs was the first veterinary clinic in the state to have cone beam CT technology.
3. Dental Pain Is Often Invisible
Animals are experts at hiding discomfort. Many pets with painful mouths will still eat, play, and wag their tails. But they’re not comfortable, they’re just resilient.
I’ve had countless clients tell me after a dental procedure, “I didn’t realize how much pain my pet was in until I saw the difference after the dental procedure.” Pets that seemed “just old” or “a little quiet” often regain energy and enthusiasm when chronic dental pain is finally relieved. Most of these cases had already reached the point where they had abscessed teeth that needed to be extracted. Unfortunately, many of them suffer in silence for weeks, months, or even years before their dental disease is diagnosed and treated.
4. Home Care Is Important—But It’s Not Enough Alone
Brushing your pet’s teeth at home is an excellent habit and something I encourage strongly—but it’s not a substitute for professional care. Even with daily brushing (which most pet owners understandably find difficult), tartar still accumulates, especially under the gumline. Think of it like your own dental care: no matter how well you brush and floss, you still need to see your dentist regularly.
In fact, dentists advise their clients to have their teeth cleaned and an oral exam performed every 6 months. Humans are brushing their teeth typically at least twice daily. It is much more important for pets to have their teeth cleaned professionally, especially if they are not having their teeth brushed daily at home.
For pets, this means cleanings under general anesthesia—performed with precision, safety, and attention to comfort. It is impossible to have your pet’s teeth cleaned will with ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments with them awake. It is also impossible to perform a thorough oral examination and take dental images (radiographs or CBCT scans) without general anesthesia.
5. Anesthesia Makes Dental Cleanings Safe and Thorough
I understand the concerns many pet parents have about anesthesia. But let me reassure you: modern veterinary anesthetic protocols are extremely safe. We tailor the plan to each pet’s individual needs, perform pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and closely monitor vital signs throughout the procedure with trained technicians and advanced equipment.
Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery in Colorado Springs utilizes multiple board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists who aid our team members in anesthetic protocol planning and livestream monitoring of our patients.
The reason anesthesia is necessary is that it allows us to clean every tooth, every surface, and below the gumline without causing fear, stress, or pain. Taking dental images is also impossible without general anesthesia. It’s the gold standard of care—and it’s what your pet deserves.
6. Prevention Saves Money—and Teeth
Dental cleanings are an investment in your pet’s health. Preventive care reduces the risk of costly and complex dental procedures down the line, such as extractions, root canal procedures and periodontal surgeries.
With routine cleanings and timely intervention, we can help your pet keep more of their teeth, stay more comfortable, and enjoy a better quality of life. When pets have their teeth brushed at home daily and have regular professional dental cleanings by their veterinarians, we can truly prevent dental disease rather than treating a problem that is already established.
Many board-certified veterinary dentists are now advising their clients to have their pets’ teeth cleaned every 6 months, just like humans, especially if they are not receiving daily home care. I believe that pets who have their teeth cleaned twice a year actually end up spending less time overall under anesthesia compared to only having this done annually. This is due to the fact that pets who only have annual cleanings are more likely to need additional procedures, such as tooth extractions.
Final Thoughts: A Clean Mouth Is a Healthier Pet
As a veterinarian dedicated to excellence, I consider pet dental cleaning an essential component of preventive medicine. When we keep your pet’s mouth clean and pain-free, we’re not just improving their dental health—we’re supporting their overall well-being, longevity, and happiness.
If your pet has never had a professional dental cleaning, or it’s been more than a year, I encourage you to schedule an evaluation. We’ll discuss your pet’s specific needs, examine their oral health, and create a plan that supports a healthy mouth—and a healthier life.
Contact us today to book your pet’s dental cleaning and give them the gift of comfort, health, and a brighter future.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (08/21/2025) Photo by Felice Wölke on Unsplash
