Dog & Cat HospitalCalabasas

Patient Education

Dental Care Plan

Scheduled professional cleanings and practical at-home guidance to prevent the pain, tooth loss, and systemic effects of periodontal disease.

Dental disease is the most commonly diagnosed health problem in adult dogs and cats — studies suggest more than 80 percent of pets over age three have some degree of periodontal disease (infection and inflammation of the structures that hold teeth in place). Left untreated, it causes chronic pain, difficulty eating, tooth loss, and, because bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream, can affect the heart, kidneys, and liver over time. Dog & Cat Hospital Calabasas's Dental Care Plan combines annual or biannual professional cleanings under anesthesia with personalized guidance on brushing, dental chews, and rinses so owners can maintain oral health between visits.

How It Works

A professional dental cleaning requires general anesthesia — there is no safe or effective way to scale below the gumline (where disease lives) in an awake, moving pet. The process at our hospital includes:

  • Pre-anesthetic bloodwork and a physical exam to confirm the pet is healthy for the procedure
  • Ultrasonic scaling to remove tartar above and below the gumline on all tooth surfaces
  • Probing every tooth for pockets, root exposure, and mobility that indicate deeper disease
  • Digital dental radiographs (X-rays) to evaluate tooth roots and bone — pathology invisible to the eye is commonly found this way
  • Tooth extractions for any teeth that cannot be saved, with appropriate local nerve blocks for pain control
  • Polishing and a fluoride treatment to slow future tartar accumulation

After the cleaning, the veterinarian reviews the findings and creates a personalized home-care plan — typically including a tooth-brushing routine, enzymatic toothpaste, and Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)-accepted products appropriate for the pet's cooperation level and dental history.

Schedule your pet's dental evaluation

Book an Appointment

What to Expect

Most dental cleanings are same-day outpatient procedures. The pet is admitted in the morning, the procedure typically takes one to three hours depending on disease severity, and most patients are alert and ready to go home by afternoon. Mild sedation effects may linger into the evening, and if extractions were performed, a brief soft-food period and oral pain medication will be sent home. The veterinarian discusses findings and home-care recommendations before discharge. Follow-up intervals — every six to twelve months for most pets — are scheduled based on how quickly the individual pet builds tartar and the severity of any disease found.

Good Candidates

  • Dogs and cats over age three — the majority already have some degree of periodontal disease by this age
  • Pets with visible tartar (yellow-brown buildup on teeth), red or bleeding gum edges, or bad breath that is new or worsening
  • Pets who are dropping food, eating on one side, or showing reluctance to chew hard treats — signs of oral pain
  • Small and toy breeds, which tend to develop dental disease earlier and more severely than large dogs
  • Cats, especially those over age five, who are prone to tooth resorption lesions (a uniquely feline and often painful condition)
  • Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Persians, and Shih Tzus, whose crowded teeth accumulate tartar faster
  • Pets who have never had a professional cleaning or have not had one in more than a year

Frequently Asked Questions

1Why does my pet need anesthesia for a dental cleaning?
Scaling below the gumline — where periodontal disease actually lives — requires the pet to be completely still, which is not achievable in a conscious, stressed animal. Anesthesia also allows full-mouth digital X-rays, probing of every tooth, and pain-free extractions when needed.
2Is anesthesia safe for an older dog or cat?
For most healthy seniors, yes. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork and a physical exam identify risks, the protocol is tailored to the individual, and vital signs are monitored continuously throughout the procedure. Leaving painful dental disease untreated in a senior carries its own significant health risks.
3How can I tell if my cat or dog has dental pain?
Signs include bad breath, pawing at the mouth, dropping food, chewing only on one side, drooling more than usual, or reluctance to eat hard kibble. Many pets hide oral pain well, so a dental exam during annual wellness visits is the most reliable way to catch disease early.
4What happens if I don't treat my dog's dental disease?
Untreated periodontal disease progresses to bone loss, loose teeth, abscesses, and chronic pain. Bacteria from the infected mouth also enter the bloodstream repeatedly, and long-term exposure is associated with heart valve disease and kidney damage in both dogs and cats.
5How often does my pet need a dental cleaning?
Most adult dogs and cats benefit from a professional cleaning every twelve months; small breeds or pets with a history of rapid tartar accumulation may need one every six months. The veterinarian recommends an interval based on findings from the previous cleaning.
6Can I brush my cat's or dog's teeth at home?
Daily brushing with pet-safe enzymatic toothpaste is the single most effective home-care measure — it disrupts plaque before it hardens into tartar. Even brushing three to four times per week makes a meaningful difference. The team can show you a technique that works for your pet's temperament.
7Do dental chews actually work?
Some do — the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) publishes a list of products with clinical evidence of reducing tartar or plaque. They are a useful supplement to brushing but are not a substitute for professional cleanings, since they cannot address disease below the gumline.
8What is a tooth resorption lesion in cats?
Tooth resorption is a uniquely feline condition in which the tooth structure is progressively destroyed, often starting at the gumline. Affected teeth are very painful, and extraction is typically the only effective treatment. Digital dental X-rays are the most reliable way to identify and stage these lesions.

Related

ConditionsDental & Periodontal Disease

Schedule your pet's dental evaluation

A quick oral exam can reveal disease that is already causing pain — and a cleaning now is far simpler than managing advanced dental disease later.

Book an Appointment