When to See Your Vet for Dental Care
Understanding professional dental procedures and building a dental care plan.
Professional Dental Care
No matter how diligent you are with home care, your pet will need professional dental attention at some point. Here is what to expect:
Dental Examinations
Your vet will examine your pet’s mouth during routine health checks. They will look at the teeth, gums, and oral tissues for signs of disease. Some issues can only be seen on dental X-rays (radiographs) taken under general anaesthesia.
Professional Dental Cleaning (Scale and Polish)
This is performed under general anaesthesia and involves:
- Scaling — removing tartar from all tooth surfaces, including below the gum line (where disease hides)
- Polishing — smoothing the tooth surface to slow future plaque accumulation
- Full examination of every tooth under anaesthesia
- Dental X-rays to assess tooth roots and bone
Anaesthesia-free dental cleaning (sometimes advertised by non-veterinary providers) only removes visible tartar and cannot address disease below the gum line. The Australian Veterinary Association does not recommend this approach.
Tooth Extractions
Teeth that are severely diseased, loose, or fractured may need to be extracted. Pets adapt remarkably well to missing teeth and are usually much more comfortable afterwards.
Be cautious of services offering dental cleaning without anaesthesia. While the teeth may look cleaner afterwards, this approach only addresses cosmetic tartar above the gum line. It cannot clean below the gum line where disease actually develops, and it cannot include X-rays or thorough examination. The Australian Veterinary Association advises that professional dental procedures should be performed under general anaesthesia by a veterinarian.
Building Your Pet's Dental Care Plan
The best dental outcomes come from combining home care with professional veterinary dental care:
At Home (Daily/Weekly)
- Brush teeth daily or at least 3 to 4 times per week
- Provide VOHC-accepted dental chews
- Use a dental water additive if desired
- Visually check teeth and gums weekly
At Your Vet (Annually)
- Dental examination as part of the annual health check
- Professional dental cleaning as recommended by your vet
- Dental X-rays if indicated
Talk to your vet about what dental care schedule is right for your pet’s breed, age, and dental history. Some breeds (particularly small breeds like Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, and Dachshunds) are more prone to dental disease and may need more frequent professional care.
Dental Care Plan Checklist
Course Review Quiz
What is the main limitation of anaesthesia-free dental cleaning?