I am often times asked by my clients about having their pet’s teeth cleaned at the grooming appointment without anesthesia. I know- it is cheaper and anesthesia is scary. However- I would like to take this opportunity to explain why dental care without anesthesia is not only unbeneficial, but can also be harmful for your pet’s health. Since February is national dental month, I thought it would be a great first blog topic…

So- here goes.

Let’s first talk about the proper way to do a dental cleaning (at your veterinarian and with a highly trained staff). When the animal is under anesthesia, the whole mouth is examined. All aspects of the teeth are visualized, probed, scaled, pockets are assessed, dental x-rays are taken and most importantly, the area under the gums is cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler that does not etch the tooth. At the end of the procedure, if all is well and no extractions are needed, the teeth are polished and special sealant material is applied. This is the exact same process we all have to endure when we see our dental hygienist… The difference is that we all speak English and are capable of sitting with our mouth open for a period of time without moving. Unfortunately, dogs do not speak English well and their attention span can be limited (I know- your pet is smarter than most and does speak the language…:-). Scaling the area under the gums is the most important procedure during a teeth cleaning because this is where all diseases start. Bacteria travel around the tooth under the gums, creating pockets, weakening the tooth’s attachment and in worse cases, cause infections and tooth loss.

When a dental is done at the groomer, several concerns are raised. It is often performed by untrained people who can potentially inflict damage to the oral cavity. Also, when the tartar is removed the tooth is etched (and not polished) which may make the visible surface of the tooth better, however, the scratched tooth is now  ready for new bacteria to  attach to the uneven surface which in turn causes a more severe dental disease (and at a faster pace…). Lastly, when the procedure is done, the pet has to be restrained. Consequently, we sometimes see these dogs become extremely traumatized and fearful when we try to touch their faces. If you think about it- would you like to be strapped down and restrained while someone speaks a foreign language to you and man-handles your teeth???

Hope this information helps in making the best decision for you and your pet. If further questions arise, feel free to call us at the hospital: (925) 462-3646

Dr. Sharon Paz

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