Spoiler alert: the answer is yes! Professional dental cleanings are a crucial element of effective oral health care for pets, regardless of the other components in the pet's dental care routine. In this article we bust common myths that often lull pet parents into a false sense of security when it comes to their pet's dental health.
Does My Pet Need a Dental Cleaning Even If...
I Brush My Pet's Teeth Regularly?
Yes! While teeth brushing is a helpful way to prevent new plaque and tartar from developing on the teeth, it cannot remove existing dental disease. And according to leading veterinary dentists, teeth brushing is only effective in preventing new disease from developing if it's done every day! But even so, the gold standard daily brushing does not eliminate the need for professional dental cleanings with your veterinarian. Just like we humans need annual cleanings with our dentists despite daily brushing, our pets also need professional dental care regardless of what their at-home dental care routine involves.
Does My Pet Need a Dental Cleaning Even If...
My Pet's Teeth Appear to Be Pearly White?
Yes! Even if your pet's teeth appear to be healthy and free from significant plaque and tartar, it can still be beneficial to pursue a dental cleaning with your veterinarian. Much of the inflammation and infection associated with dental disease often occurs beneath the gum line, undetectable to the naked eye. To accurately evaluate the true health of your pet's mouth, dental radiographs are required, which are part of every quality dental cleaning.
Does My Pet Need a Dental Cleaning Even If...
My Pet Eats Dry Food?
Yes! There is a common misconception that eating dry food is enough to keep teeth clean and healthy, but unfortunately this is inaccurate. The first thing to consider is that many pets do not actually chew their dry food kernels. Most pets swallow the kernels whole, bypassing involvement of the teeth all together. The other point to consider, is that even the pets who do actually chew their dry food, only use their back molars to do so. The front incisors are not involved in chewing and therefor do not reap any benefits from the chewing action.
Does My Pet Need a Dental Cleaning Even If...
My Pet Gets Regular Bones to Gnaw On?
Yes! Bones and chews really only engage the back molars, leaving the front incisors uninvolved and therefor they do not benefit from the chews. Additionally, it's important to consider the risk bones and chews pose to your pet's oral health. Many bones are too firm and can cause broken or chipped teeth. It's important to choose only veterinary-recommended products when considering offering your pets a chew.
Does My Pet Need a Dental Cleaning Even If...
My Pet Receives Awake Dental Cleanings from a Local Pet Store?
Yes! Full anesthesia is required in order to accomplish a quality, comprehensive dental cleaning inclusive of dental radiographs. Awake dental cleanings are not only ineffective but can be dangerous and quite stressful for your pet. We recommend that the only dental cleanings your pets receive are done under full sedation.
How To Book A Dental Cleaning at Fire Mountain Veterinary Hospital
We're here to help! We recommend starting with a dental consultation, where we evaluate your pet's oral health and make tailored recommendations on how to move forward. During your dental consultation we will:
Perform a full mouth exam
Provide a grading of your pet's dental disease
Offer individualized dental care recommendations
Outline next steps for your pet's dental cleaning
Provide an estimate for your pet's dental cleaning
Answer all of your oral health questions
Schedule your pet's dental cleaning
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