Professional Pet Dental Cleaning in Tyler, TX
A professional dental cleaning at Premier Veterinary Hospital is much more than removing surface tartar. Every surface of every tooth, including below the gum line, is cleaned with a piezo ultrasonic scaler, then polished and treated with fluoride. This treats gingivitis at its source, halts the progression of periodontal disease, and removes infection that can spread to other organs. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 85% of pets have dental disease by age three, and most need a professional cleaning at least once a year by age five.
Request an AppointmentWhy Dental Care Matters for Your Pet
Periodontal disease is the most common health problem in adult dogs and cats. It causes bad breath, painful gums, and tooth loss, and the bacteria involved can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, liver, and kidneys. Regular professional cleanings combined with home care prolong your pet’s life and keep them comfortable.
Steps in Our Professional Dental Cleaning
Comprehensive physical exam: Before any anesthetic procedure, your pet is thoroughly examined and their medical record reviewed so any potential risks are addressed in advance.
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork: All pets receive pre-anesthetic blood testing through our in-house laboratory to confirm their organs can safely process anesthetic agents. These tests can reveal hidden health conditions, and we tailor each patient’s anesthetic protocol to their individual needs.
IV catheter placement: An IV catheter delivers fluids during and after the procedure and allows administration of short-acting anesthetics for placement of an endotracheal tube. The tube protects the airway and lungs and delivers isoflurane or sevoflurane gas to maintain a safe plane of anesthesia.
Anesthesia and Anesthetic Monitoring
Every patient is monitored at all times by a highly trained technician. We track heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, CO2 levels with capnography, continuous ECG, body temperature, and depth of anesthesia throughout the procedure and recovery.
Keeping Your Pet Warm and Safe
Each pet rests on a HotDog body warming unit to maintain a healthy body temperature, the same type of equipment used in human operating rooms. Some clients ask about anesthesia-free dental cleanings, but a complete and thorough oral exam and cleaning simply cannot be performed without anesthesia.
Dental X-rays
Just like your own dentist, we take radiographs to evaluate the health of each tooth, including the roots and bone below the gum line. This allows our veterinarians to determine the right treatment for every tooth.
Thorough Cleaning Above and Below the Gum Line
Our ultrasonic scaling removes hidden plaque and tartar where periodontal disease begins, protecting your pet from pain and infection.
Scaling and Polishing
Plaque and tartar are removed from the tooth surface and below the gum line with our piezo ultrasonic scaler. The teeth are then polished to remove residual plaque and smooth the enamel, which slows future tartar buildup. The mouth is rinsed and each tooth and the surrounding gum tissue is examined for defects.
Tooth Extractions
Extractions are recommended when:
- Periodontal disease has destroyed the bone and supporting structures, leaving teeth loose and unstable
- Teeth are fractured or abscessed and a root canal is not appropriate or practical
- Removing a less important tooth will stabilize a more important one, or baby teeth did not fall out on their own
Extraction sites often receive laser therapy to reduce pain and speed healing.
Fluoride Treatment and Subgingival Therapy
Fluoride is applied to each tooth after scaling, polishing, and any restorative work to protect against future plaque and decay. For problem teeth, subgingival therapy such as root planing, subgingival curettage, and antibiotic gels like DOXIROBE® Gel can reduce periodontal pocket depth, encourage reattachment, and calm gum inflammation, helping to save teeth that might otherwise need extraction.
OraVet Barrier Sealant
After cleaning, we apply OraVet sealant to each tooth. This invisible barrier helps prevent bacteria from attaching to the teeth. Care continues at home with weekly OraVet Plaque Prevention Gel and daily brushing.
Recovery
After the procedure, your pet moves to recovery, where our staff monitors temperature, pulse, and respiration. Your doctor or technician will call you with an update, and most patients go home the same day. Pain medication from our pharmacy is provided as needed, along with instructions for home dental care.
At-Home Dental Care
We recommend products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), which meet standards for reducing plaque and tartar:
- Brushing: Daily brushing with pet toothpaste is the single most effective way to maintain oral health. See Virbac toothbrushes and toothpastes.
- Dental diets: Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d is clinically proven to reduce plaque, stain, and tartar. Ask about it through our nutrition services.
- C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews: Release chlorhexidine while chewing to help reduce plaque.
- Water additives and oral rinses: C.E.T. Aquadent and C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Rinse help fight plaque and freshen breath.
Annual dental exams are part of every wellness visit, and senior pets may benefit from more frequent cleanings.
Pet Dentistry FAQs
Why does my pet need anesthesia for a dental cleaning?
A complete exam and cleaning below the gum line, plus dental X-rays, cannot be done safely or thoroughly on an awake pet. Anesthesia keeps your pet comfortable, still, and protects the airway.
How often does my pet need a professional dental cleaning?
Most pets need a professional cleaning at least once a year by age five. Small breeds and pets with existing dental disease may need cleanings more often.
What are the signs my pet needs dental care?
Bad breath, tartar, red or bleeding gums, loose or broken teeth, dropping food, chewing on one side, and pawing at the mouth all indicate your pet needs a dental exam.
Why are dental X-rays necessary?
About 60% of each tooth lies below the gum line. X-rays reveal root infections, bone loss, and fractures that cannot be seen otherwise.
Will my pet go home the same day?
Yes. Most dental patients are released the same day once they are fully awake and comfortable.
Is anesthesia safe for my pet?
We minimize risk with a pre-anesthetic exam and bloodwork, IV fluids, individualized protocols, and continuous monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, CO2, ECG, and temperature by a trained technician.
How can I care for my pet’s teeth at home?
Daily brushing is best. VOHC-approved dental diets, chews, water additives, and rinses also help reduce plaque between cleanings.
Schedule Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning
Give your pet a healthier, more comfortable smile. Call (903) 617-6072 to schedule a dental exam and cleaning in Tyler.