by Julia Williams

Created on: February 13, 2009

Human beings are trained at a very young age to practice good dental hygiene. Imagine if you will, what your teeth and gums would look like if you didn't brush and floss daily (you do, don't you?). The repercussions of not brushing our teeth regularly go far beyond bad breath, cavities and yellow teeth, however. Poor dental hygiene can lead to periodontal disease which can cause swollen and tender gums, bleeding and painful lesions in the mouth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can also lead to tooth loss. Additionally, the inflammation and infections associated with periodontal disease can damage the heart, liver and kidneys, and lead to other serious health problems.

The same is true for our cats and dogs. Unfortunately, as trainable as many dogs are, without opposable thumbs it's unlikely they'll ever learn to brush their own teeth. And everyone who's ever had a cat knows that most of them can't be trained to do anything other than come to the food bowl when you call them. This is why pet dentistry exists, and why it's very important for cats and dogs to have their teeth cleaned professionally by a skilled veterinarian. The frequency of pet teeth cleaning depends upon many things, such as diet, individual breeds and the existence or absence of at-home dental care (more on that later).

What's involved in pet dentistry, and how much it will cost to have your cat or dog's teeth cleaned will also vary considerably. This is why vet offices rarely give quotes for pet teeth cleaning over the phone. Besides, your pet will need to be examined first before the teeth cleaning procedure, which is considered a surgery since it requires anesthesia. This pre-surgery exam typically costs less than a regular office visit if you schedule the appointment for the pet dental procedure at the same time.

If you have an older cat or dog, the vet will most likely recommend that you have blood work done prior to your pet's teeth cleaning. This health profile will help your vet to determine if there are issues that make the anesthesia a more risky procedure. Generally speaking, for healthy animals under ten years of age, the blood work is optional and not usually needed (but please follow your vet's recommendation on this).

The anesthesia is probably the biggest cost of pet dentistry; however, getting your pet's teeth cleaned without anesthesia is really not an option. Even the most docile dog and gentle cat can become highly aggressive and dangerous when subjected to a thorough

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