Cat and Dog Dental Cleaning: What to Expect During Your Pet’s Procedure

Professional dental care plays a vital role in your pet’s long-term health. Cat and dog dental cleaning helps prevent pain, infection, and serious illness, and studies show pets can live 3–5 years longer with routine dental care.

At Safe Harbor Animal Hospital, we believe preventive care and early treatment of dental disease can significantly improve the quality of life. This blog is Part 3 of our pet dental health series, designed to help you feel confident and informed about your pet’s oral surgery.

Cat and Dog Dental Cleaning: Why Professional Dental Cleaning Is Important

While at-home brushing is essential, it cannot remove hardened tartar or address disease below the gum line. Professional cat and dog dental cleaning allows our veterinary team to fully assess and treat your pet’s oral health.

Routine cleanings help:

  • Prevent periodontal disease
  • Detect oral masses or tumors early
  • Reduce chronic inflammation
  • Extend life expectancy

Early detection and treatment of periodontal disease alone can add up to two years to a pet’s life.

Cat and Dog Dental Cleaning: What to Expect Before and During Oral Surgery

Most professional dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia to allow for a thorough and pain-free procedure.

During your pet’s cat and dog dental cleaning, we:

  • Perform a comprehensive oral exam
  • Chart and probe every tooth
  • Take digital dental X-rays to evaluate roots and bone health
  • Identify hidden disease beneath the gum line

Our state-of-the-art digital dental radiography provides immediate, highly detailed images that help detect:

  • Tooth root damage
  • Periodontal pocketing
  • Oral tumors or masses
  • Non-erupted or fractured teeth

Watch this video to learn more on what you can expect for your pet’s dental cleaning:

Cat and Dog Dental Cleaning: Advanced Cleaning, Treatment, and Pain Management

After evaluation and imaging, we clean above and below the gum line using a combination of ultrasonic and hand-scaling techniques. A fluoride-infused polish smooths the tooth surface, followed by a protective sealant to slow future plaque and tartar buildup.

If advanced treatment is needed, we may recommend:

  • Root planing or perioceutic therapies (such as Doxirobe®)
  • Tooth extractions using high-speed dental equipment
  • Pre- and post-extraction X-rays to ensure complete removal
  • Bone grafting materials, when appropriate

Pain management is a top priority. We use a multimodal pain-control approach before, during, and after treatment to ensure your pet’s comfort. 

Cat and Dog Dental Cleaning: Your Pet’s Safety Comes First

Your pet is treated like family while in our care. Our facility is equipped with advanced anesthesia monitoring and modern surgical technology to ensure safety throughout every cat and dog dental cleaning.

For complex cases, we collaborate closely with Board-Certified Veterinary Dentists for specialized procedures such as root canals or advanced oral surgery.

Cat and Dog Dental Cleaning: Your Partner in Comprehensive Dental Care

At Safe Harbor Animal Hospital, we’re proud to offer expert pet dental care in Mount Pleasant, SC. From preventive cleanings to advanced oral surgery, our goal is to keep your pet healthy, comfortable, and pain-free.

If your pet is due for a dental exam or professional cleaning, call us at (843) 648-4787 or schedule an appointment online today.

Safe Harbor Animal Hospital is proud to be part of Animal Hospitals of the Lowcountry, including:

  • Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital – South Mount Pleasant
  • Shuler Veterinary Clinic – Central Mount Pleasant
  • Safe Harbor Animal Hospital – North Mount Pleasant

Together, we’re helping Lowcountry pets live longer, healthier lives, one dental visit at a time