Given that we can not just tell our pets to “say ah ” and hold still during our dental cleanings, we might need to carry out more elaborate techniques. The only way to effectively check a pet’s teeth and clean them thoroughly is to put them under a general anesthetic. This article will serve as an overview for pet owners, laying out the steps involved in taking their pet to the veterinarian for a dental cleaning.
Steps of a Veterinary Dental Cleaning
Routine oral cleanings are essential for your pet, even if you are diligent about cleaning your pet’s teeth. Periodontal conditions and other significant clinical conditions are preventable if you take better care of your pet’s teeth and gums now. Read on to find out what happens during a dental cleaning for your pet.
Step 1: Anesthesia
After your pet has been given the all-clear for anesthetics, they will be given medicines to put them to sleep for the oral treatment. An endotracheal tube will be placed after your pet passes out so it can be given oxygen and anesthetic gas. The veterinarians on staff will carefully check your pet’s anesthesia level and other vitals throughout the procedure.
Step 2: Dental Radiographs
Radiographs of the teeth (dental X-rays) are frequently taken in advance of routine dental care treatments. Radiographs are done to look at the tooth root and facial bones because a visual check enables the teeth’ crown or upper area analysis. Removal or surgery of the tooth may be suggested if there is a substantial cavity or damage to the root. You can ask your vet if your pet has this case or visit their vet surgery page to help you.
Step 3: Oral Examination
When medical practitioners think something is wrong, they initially analyze the patient’s teeth. In many cases, an ultrasonic scaler is taken to clean the teeth; however, manual scalers are also accessible. The prevention of periodontal conditions depends on this. The patient needs to be under general anesthesia to ensure that the vet dentist can analyze all areas of the mouth, clean below the gum line, and polish all areas of each tooth.
Step 4: Supragingival Cleaning
Ultrasonic and hand scalers will eliminate tartar accumulation from the crown surfaces. Ultrasonic scalers utilize high-frequency resonances to loosen tartar and calculus for quick extraction. Once the ultrasonic scaler has cleaned all surfaces, a manual scaler can extract any remaining tartar from intimate parts or between teeth.
Step 5: Subgingival Cleaning
The greater threat to dental health is caused by plaque and tartar that gather below the gum line. They supply a home for bacteria that brings gum disease and the subsequent loosening of teeth. Damage to the gum structures is often minimal and can be altered if plaque is removed below the gums in the first phases of dental illness.
Step 6: Tooth Polishing
When tartar and plaque are eliminated, the teeth are left with microscopic etchings from the equipment used. If not fixed, these flaws in the enamel bring microorganisms to colonize and form tartar and plaque. The crown is polished to make the enamel as smooth as possible and prevent tartar accumulation.
Step 7: Rinsing
Polish is removed from the teeth by rinsing at the lattermost of the treatment. As soon as the tartar is gone and the teeth are clean, it will be noticeable to the bare eye. A fluoride procedure may be performed to fortify the tooth enamel. For added protection against tartar and plaque, an oral sealant may be taken. Consider Red Hills Animal Hospital to help your pet’s dental problem.
