Most dogs will need a full dental cleaning once a year at their veterinary clinic. There are many factors that may influence how frequently your own dog may need a full cleaning; some dogs may require bi-annual cleanings while others may only need them every 18 months.

Your dog’s oral health history, diet, home dental care routine, and genetics can all impact their need for more, or less, frequent cleanings. Your general practice veterinarian will examine your dog’s teeth during wellness visits and can provide an individualized schedule for dental cleanings.

Most cats will need a full dental cleaning every 12-24 months at their veterinary clinic. There are many factors that may influence how frequently your own cat may need a full cleaning; some cats may require bi-annual cleanings while others may only need them every two years.

Your cat’s oral health history, diet, home dental care routine, and genetics can all impact their need for more, or less, frequent cleanings. Your general practice veterinarian will examine your cat’s teeth during wellness visits and can provide an individualized recommendation for dental cleanings.

At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we do not recommend anesthesia-free pet dental cleanings as a substitute for full veterinary cleanings that use general anesthesia.

Anesthesia-free dental cleanings are significantly less effective at removing, controlling, and preventing dental disease as they skip many essential steps involved in an aestheticized cleaning. See below for why anesthesia helps ensure your pet’s dental cleaning is performed safely and thoroughly.

Between your pet’s anesthetic dental cleanings, you can still have their teeth brushed by a pet groomer (or brush them yourself at home!), but this basic brushing should not replace full dental cleanings at your vet’s office.

Unlike us humans, your pet doesn’t understand the benefit of dental procedures and so reacts to the discomfort by moving, trying to escape, or even biting. Anesthesia makes it possible to perform the dental procedure with less stress and pain for your pet.

Anesthesia also allows for a deeper and safer cleaning because your pet is not moving around, risking injury from the dental equipment. Your veterinarian can clean deep into the gums to treat and/or prevent dental disease from developing and spreading.    

Radiographs (x-rays) are typically used during pet dentals so your vet can examine the health of the teeth below the gum line. To get good images, your pet needs to be very still, which is very difficult without heavy sedation or anesthesia.  

The first step to helping your pet get back to their spritely self after a dental cleaning is to listen closely and follow all instructions provided to you by your pet care team.  

Your pet will likely be drowsy for a day following general anesthesia, so try to be gentle with them and give them time and space to relax and sleep if they wish it.  

If your pet had teeth extracted, their diet may need to be adjusted for a week or two. Your veterinarian will provide individualized details during discharge is this is the case for your pet. For more information on the importance of diet after a dental, visit this page -> 

Dental cleanings for pets at your primary care vet are not just a simple brush of the teeth! The whole procedure involves anesthesia, x-rays, tartar and plaque removal, and a thorough exam of all dental ligaments, bony structures that form the mouth, gum pockets, and more.

To learn about the range of processes and procedures involved in a pet dental cleaning, visit our page on What is a Pet Dental Cleaning?

The additional time and personnel required to perform a safe and thorough cleaning also adds to the costs of these procedures. Dental cleanings can take anywhere between 45-75 minutes and require multiple staff members present.

It is important to always keep your pet’s long-term health and well-being in mind when weighing the costs of a dental cleaning.

As with all forms of preventative health, the initial costs of a pet dental cleaning are significantly lower than more invasive oral surgeries and treatment for dental disease.