Just like in humans, pets can develop a multitude of dental issues. A dental cleaning visit will include a thorough dental examination, teeth cleaning and polishing to remove the tartar and periodontal disease-causing plaque. This is done while your dog is under general anesthesia. Once anesthetized, your veterinarian will thoroughly examine the mouth and determine if any extractions are needed.
During the cleaning itself, your vet or trained veterinary technician will scale all surfaces of your pet's teeth to remove plaque and tartar. The area underneath the gum line also will be cleaned, which is necessary to reduce gum inflammation (gingivitis).
Dental cleanings are especially important for dog breeds with genetic predispositions for dental disease.