Teeth Cleaning

Anesthesia-free teeth cleaning is now available through Peaceful Paws.

Introduction

Anesthesia-free teeth cleaning is now available for those who do not wish to put their furry companions to sleep each time they require a dental. The difference between a basic dental cleaning under anesthesia and our anesthesia-free technique is minimal. For grade 0-2 mouths, we are able to scale the plaque and tartar free of your pet’s teeth, including subgingival cleaning. Teeth are then polished to smooth out the enamel. We use the same cleaning equipment used by human dental hygienists. For most pets, having their teeth cleaned this way every 6-12 months means saving exposure to anesthesia for more serious conditions.

Complications from anesthesia range from tracheal damage to accidentally compromised respiration and heart rate, as well as taking hours and sometimes days for an animal to fully recover and clean residual anesthesia from their system.

What to Expect at a Dental Clinic

At each clinic, the first thing that will happen is that our supervising veterinarian will examine your dog or cat briefly, listening to its heart and making sure it is a good candidate for this type of procedure.
Your pet is then examined by the dental hygienist so we can let you know immediately if the current state of their teeth and mouth makes it possible for us to continue. Advanced periodontal disease, deep fractures and suspicious lesions will usually require a more traditional approach with a vet and we are prepared to refer you to one of our favorite dental veterinarians.
The procedure normally takes 30 minutes, and you are welcome to watch, but sometimes it makes it more difficult to calm your pet down as they believe “mommy” or “daddy” will save them if they can see or hear you. We gently position your dog or cat to professional scale and polish their teeth, including below the gum line.
Antibiotics may be prescribed by the vet if they believe there is a risk of bacteria traveling through your pet’s body. This is usually only necessary if the gums are grade 2 or approaching grade 3.

Anesthesia-teeth cleaning is limited to manual scaling and polishing of teeth. Thus, we cannot perform x-rays, extractions or other procedures which might be necessary for a severely advanced case of gum disease.

What we can do is provide a deep cleaning and help you understand the mechanics of cleaning your own pet’s teeth at home to minimize the risk of making anesthesia necessary. Like humans, a pet’s teeth collect plaque, which is bacteria mixed with saliva and blood cells. If not cleaned properly, this becomes tartar, which is mineralized plaque adhering to the tooth enamel causing bad breath, gum disease and finally tooth and bone loss. By wiping or brushing your pet’s teeth clean each night, the chances of periodontal disease or decreased drastically, especially in smaller dogs which are prone to bad mouths.

Anesthesia-Free Teeth Cleaning FAQ

Just how important is having my pet’s teeth cleaned?

Aside from the obvious of dirty teeth and bad breath, keeping abreast of your pet’s dental needs means healthy gums. Gingivitus and periodontal disease, as in humans, affects the whole body, sending bacteria to major organs, causing problems with heart, liver, kidneys and lungs.

Can teeth be cleaned just as effectively without anesthesia?

In most cases, yes. Each tooth is scaled and polished to our exacting standards and our dentals consistently hold up to dental cleanings done under anesthesia.

Are all dogs and cats candidates for anesthesia-free cleaning?

No, but most are. A small percentage of pets have periodontal disease so advanced that we recommend a traditional dental by a vet. Also, we do not do extractions or x-rays, so those animals with loose teeth and suspicious lesions are also referred to a vet. Each dog or cat is examined prior to beginning the procedure and if we see that they are not eligible for an anesthesia-free cleaning, you are notified immediately at no charge.

How do you contain my pet while cleaning its teeth?

You’d be surprised at how many challenging dogs come in and remain calm and relaxed once the cleaning procedure has begun. We maintain a gentle and soothing demeanor using our own calming techniques to create a sense of wellbeing and safety in each animal.

What if my pet’s teeth are in severely bad condition, but it cannot be placed under anesthesia for health reasons?

Many animals have allergies, heart conditions or are so advanced in age that it is not medically advised to place them under anesthesia. We will attempt to perform a dental cleaning on them and can usually substantially improve the health of their mouths.

Teeth Cleaning Pricing

Clincs are held in various locations across the Front Range and generally cost $120.00–$140.00. Contact us for the next clinic near you.

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