Beneath the cute smiles of our beloved pets lurks a potential health hazard that many owners overlook—dental disease. Just like us, our furry friends need regular dental care to keep their smiles bright and bodies healthy—yet it’s one of the most overlooked aspects of pet care in many loving homes.This silent problem starts with plaque buildup and can progress to serious infections, tooth loss, and even systemic health complications if left untreated
At Murieta Pet Hospital, our team of UC Davis-educated veterinarians understands the critical connection between dental health and your pet’s overall well-being. We provide extensive dental care services to keep your pet’s teeth clean and their body healthy. Let’s explore why regular dental cleanings are not just cosmetic procedures but essential components of responsible pet care.
The Progression of Dental Disease
Dental disease begins innocently enough with plaque—a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth within hours after eating. Without removal, this plaque mineralizes into tartar, a hard, yellow-brown substance that firmly attaches to teeth and is only removed through professional cleaning.
As tartar builds up along and under the gumline, it creates pockets where bacteria thrive, leading to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Left unchecked, this inflammation progresses to periodontitis, an infection that affects the tissues that support the teeth, including the bone. Advanced periodontal disease causes pain and tooth loss.
Indications that your pet may be suffering from dental disease include:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Yellow-brown crust along the gumline
- Difficulty eating or dropping food
- Pawing at the mouth or face
- Excessive drooling
- Changes in behavior or irritability
Regular professional cleanings help prevent this progression, catching problems early before they cause significant damage to your pet’s health.
The Professional Cleaning Process
Professional dental cleanings for pets go far beyond the cosmetic. Unlike human dental cleanings, pet dental procedures require general anesthesia to properly examine, clean, and treat dental issues.
During a professional dental cleaning, our veterinarians perform a thorough oral examination, including probing around each tooth to check for periodontal pockets—spaces between the tooth and gum that indicate disease. We take dental radiographs (X-rays) to evaluate the tooth roots and jawbone, as many serious dental problems occur below the gumline where they’re invisible to the naked eye.
The teeth are scaled to remove tartar above and below the gumline using ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments. After scaling, teeth are polished to smooth any microscopic scratches in the enamel, which helps prevent future plaque accumulation. Lastly, a fluoride treatment is applied to strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity.
For pets with identified dental disease, additional treatments such as extractions of severely affected teeth or periodontal therapy may be performed during the same procedure.
Benefits Beyond Clean Teeth
The advantages of regular dental cleanings extend well beyond fresh breath and pearly whites.
Pain Prevention and Relief
Dental disease is painful for pets, though they rarely show obvious signs of discomfort. Animals instinctively hide pain as a survival mechanism, often suffering silently with dental problems that would send humans straight to the emergency room. Regular cleanings prevent the development of painful conditions and relieve existing discomfort.
Systemic Health Protection
Perhaps most importantly, dental cleanings protect your pet’s overall health. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease enter the bloodstream and cause secondary infections in vital organs. The American Veterinary Medical Association reveals links between dental disease and heart, liver, and kidney problems in pets. By maintaining good oral health, you’re helping protect your pet’s entire body.
Longer, Healthier Life
Pets with healthy mouths generally eat better, maintain appropriate weight, and suffer fewer complications from chronic diseases. By incorporating regular dental care into your pet’s healthcare routine, you’re investing in additional happy, healthy years together.
Home Care and Prevention
While professional cleanings form the cornerstone of dental care, at-home maintenance plays a crucial supporting role. Daily tooth brushing using pet-specific toothpaste remains the gold standard for preventing plaque buildup between professional cleanings. For pets that won’t tolerate brushing, dental diets, approved dental chews, and water additives can offer alternative benefits.
Our veterinary team can demonstrate proper brushing techniques and recommend appropriate dental products for your individual pet. Remember that dental chews and toys should be appropriately sized for your pet and suitable for their chewing style to prevent choking or digestive issues.
Schedule Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning Today
Periodic dental cleanings are not a luxury but a fundamental aspect of responsible pet care. At Murieta Pet Hospital, our experienced team provides gentle, thorough dental care to keep your pet comfortable and healthy from nose to tail. We recommend annual dental examinations and cleanings for most pets, with more frequent care for those predisposed to dental issues.
Don’t wait until you notice bad breath or difficulty eating—by then, dental disease is already established and causing discomfort. Our team of UC Davis graduates brings advanced expertise to pet dental care, using modern equipment and techniques for the safest, most effective treatments. Contact us today at (916) 885-0288 or through our contact form to schedule your pet’s dental assessment and cleaning.
