The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends a full dental cleaning every six months for your pet, just the same as your dentist recommends for you.

Periodontal disease starts when plaque forms.  If the plaque is not removed with brushing, mineral salts in the food can form hard dental calculus.  The calculus irritates the gingival tissue and allows bacteria to survive.

Regular veterinary dental exams and daily brushing with a toothbrush or fingerbrush and pet toothpaste are important parts of regular dental care.

Dental cleaning under anesthesia involves using an ultrasonic scaler above the gumline to remove the plaque and tartar, below the gumline with hand instruments, and then polishing the enamel to slow the build up of more plaque. 

Non-anesthetic dentals may be a good option for some pets. Make sure your pet has had a dental exam first and that the procedure is performed under the supervision of a veterinarian.

The following are recommended non-anesthetic dental hygenists.