DENTISTRY-WHY DO YOU HAVE TO ANESTHETIZE MY ANIMAL TO PROPERLY CLEAN THEIR TEETH?

Dentistry in animals is the same as dentistry in people. We start antibiotics 3 days prior to the dental procedure to protect the body from bacteria when the tartar is removed.

Anesthesia is essential so we can properly clean under the gums where the tartar is hidden. This is the most important step in preventing painful, infected teeth. We apply polish to the teeth to get a smooth surface. This slows down the return of tartar. Fluoride is applied to prevent cavities.

Although anesthesia is a concern, a vet should do everything possible to insure that your animal does well. Simply scraping the chunks of tartar off the teeth showers the body with bacteria and leaves the dangerous tartar under the gums. When the enamel is not polished, tartar actually returns faster.

These are all reasons why a veterinarian should be anesthetizing your animal for dental procedures.