Dental health is a cornerstone of your pet’s overall wellness, but it’s one of the most commonly overlooked areas of care. Dogs and cats are just as vulnerable as humans to plaque buildup, tartar, gum disease, and painful oral infections. The difference? They can’t tell you when it hurts. With routine home dental care and regular veterinary cleanings, you can help prevent these problems, and even extend your pet’s life by 2–3 years compared to pets with untreated dental disease.
What a Professional Cleaning Involves
A veterinary dental cleaning is much more thorough than anything you can accomplish at home. Your veterinarian scales tartar from above and below the gumline, polishes the teeth to prevent new buildup, and performs a detailed oral exam. During this process, problems like fractured teeth, deep gum disease, or even tumors can be identified, issues brushing or anesthesia-free cleanings simply cannot uncover.
Free Dental Evaluations
We make it easy to start. Our trained veterinary technicians provide complimentary dental evaluations to assess your pet’s teeth and gums and to assign a dental grade. If severe dental disease is identified, a veterinarian will need to examine your pet. In such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, and a doctor’s exam fee will apply. Sometimes, the appointment may also need to be rescheduled so a doctor can create a complete treatment plan.
Why It’s So Important
By the time they reach 3 years of age, more than 80% of pets already have some form of dental disease. Left untreated, bacteria in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream, causing heart disease, liver failure, kidney problems, and other systemic issues. To protect pets, we include dental cleanings in our Preventative Care Wellness Plans, which are offered with low monthly payment options to make them accessible.
When Your Pet Needs a Dental Visit Now
Certain warning signs mean your pet shouldn’t wait for their next annual exam. Contact us if you notice:
- Persistent foul breath
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Yellow or brown tartar buildup on teeth
- Loose, broken, or missing teeth
- Difficulty chewing, dropping food, or favoring one side of the mouth
- Blood in the water bowl or on toys
- Weight loss or decreased appetite
- Avoidance of dry food, treats, or chews
- Excessive drooling
- Pawing at the face or rubbing the mouth
- Swelling around the jaw or muzzle
How Often to Schedule Cleanings
The frequency of cleanings depends on several factors – age, breed, diet, and overall health. General guidelines include:
- Dogs and cats over 3 years: Once per year.
- Small breed dogs: Every 6–9 months due to faster tartar buildup.
- Pets eating wet food diets: Every 6 months, since soft food doesn’t provide the natural cleaning effect of kibble.
- Senior pets (6+ years): More frequent cleanings, as gum disease risk increases with age.
- Pets already diagnosed with dental disease: Cleanings may be recommended more often.
Daily Dental Care at Home
Professional care is essential, but daily habits help maintain oral health in between visits:
- Brush your pet’s teeth three or more times per week with veterinary-safe toothpaste.
- Provide dental chews like Oravet or Greenies.
- Add Plaque Off powder to your pet’s food daily, it binds to tartar and helps reduce buildup.
- Use approved dental wipes or water additives to support oral hygiene.
- Keep up with regular wellness visits to track changes in your pet’s mouth.
Bottom Line
Most pets need annual dental cleanings, though some require them more frequently. With proper dental care, your pet enjoys more than fresh breath, they gain a healthier, longer, and happier life.
Call us at 480.987.8000 or request an appointment online to schedule your pet’s next cleaning.
For service details and pricing, visit our dental page here: https://qcvetclinic.com/pet-dental/.