Your dog or cat’s dental health directly impacts their overall well-being, comfort, and quality of life. At Pawtown Veterinary Care, Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer provide comprehensive dental cleaning services for dogs and cats using modern equipment and proven techniques that prioritize your pet’s safety and comfort throughout the procedure.
Professional dental cleaning removes tartar, plaque, and bacteria that daily brushing cannot eliminate, preventing painful dental disease and protecting your pet’s vital organs from infection. Our veterinary services include thorough dental care designed to maintain your pet’s oral health and prevent costly complications that affect their heart, liver, and kidneys over time.
Why Professional Dental Cleaning Matters
Dental disease affects over 80% of dogs and cats by age three, making it one of the most common health issues veterinarians treat. Unlike surface plaque that you can see, dangerous bacteria accumulate below the gum line where home brushing cannot reach. This hidden buildup causes pain, tooth loss, and systemic infections that compromise your pet’s immune system and overall health.
Professional dental cleaning performed under anesthesia allows complete removal of tartar and plaque from all tooth surfaces, including areas below the gum line. Our veterinarians can thoroughly examine each tooth, identify problems early, and address issues before they become painful or require extensive treatment.
Pets with clean, healthy teeth eat more comfortably, show improved energy levels, and maintain better breath that makes cuddle time more enjoyable for the whole family. Regular dental cleanings extend your pet’s lifespan by preventing bacteria from spreading through the bloodstream to major organs.
Our Comprehensive Pet Dental Cleaning Process
Pawtown Veterinary Care follows strict protocols to ensure your pet’s safety and achieve optimal results during dental cleaning procedures.
Initial Exam
Before scheduling any dental work, Dr. Miller or Dr. Stayer performs a thorough oral examination to assess your pet’s dental health and discuss findings with you in detail.
Pre-Anesthetic Blood Work
Pre-anesthetic blood work evaluates your pet’s kidney, liver, and overall health to ensure they can safely undergo anesthesia. We tailor anesthetic protocols to each pet’s age, health status, and individual needs. Your pet will have a dedicated staff member monitoring their anesthesia. Modern monitoring equipment tracks vital signs throughout the procedure, providing continuous oversight of your pet’s condition.
The Cleaning
The cleaning process includes complete tartar removal, thorough tooth polishing, and detailed examination of each tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. Digital dental X-rays reveal problems below the gum line that aren’t visible during visual examination. If we discover loose, fractured, or infected teeth, we discuss treatment options and obtain your consent before performing any extractions.
Understanding Anesthesia Safety
Many pet parents worry about anesthesia risks, but modern veterinary anesthesia is remarkably safe when performed by experienced professionals using appropriate monitoring. Anesthesia-free dental cleanings cannot address the most critical areas where disease develops and may actually increase stress for pets who must be physically restrained.
Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer have extensive experience with anesthetic procedures and use the safest available protocols. Pre-anesthetic fasting guidelines, careful medication selection, and continuous monitoring minimize risks while ensuring complete, thorough cleaning results.
Recovery from dental anesthesia typically involves a few hours of supervised monitoring at our clinic until your pet is fully awake and stable. Most pets feel significantly better within 24 hours and show improved comfort levels as dental pain resolves.
Signs Your Pet Needs Dental Cleaning
There are various signs your pet may be due for a dental cleaning. These can include the following:
Bad Breath
Bad breath often signals bacterial overgrowth and dental disease requiring professional attention. Yellow or brown tartar buildup on teeth, red or swollen gums, difficulty eating, pawing at the mouth, and loose teeth all indicate the need for dental evaluation and cleaning.
Signs of Pain in the Mouth or Behavioral Changes
Some pets hide dental pain effectively, continuing to eat despite significant discomfort. Others may prefer soft foods, chew on one side of their mouth, or drop food while eating. Behavioral changes such as increased irritability, reluctance to play with chew toys, or head shyness when being petted may reflect dental pain.
Pet’s Lifestyle
Central Oregon’s outdoor lifestyle exposes pets to additional risks through stick chewing, rock carrying, and other activities that can chip or fracture teeth. Regular dental examinations help identify these injuries before they become infected or cause significant pain.
Financing Your Pet's Dental Health
Pawtown Veterinary Care accepts Care Credit and Scratch Pay financing options, making professional dental care accessible when your pet needs treatment. Investing in preventive dental cleaning costs significantly less than treating advanced dental disease requiring multiple extractions, pain management, and extended antibiotic therapy.
Many pet insurance plans cover dental cleaning and treatment, especially when performed for medical rather than cosmetic reasons. We’re happy to provide the necessary documentation for insurance claims and work with you to maximize your benefits.
Early intervention prevents expensive complications and reduces the overall cost of maintaining your pet’s dental health throughout their lifetime. The hometown, family-oriented approach at Pawtown means we’ll always discuss treatment options honestly and help you make informed decisions about your pet’s care.
Schedule Your Pet's Dental Cleaning With Pawtown Veterinary Care
Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer provide expert dental cleaning services for dogs and cats throughout Bend and Central Oregon. Our locally-owned practice combines advanced dental techniques with the personalized attention your pet deserves, ensuring comprehensive care in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
Don’t wait for dental disease to cause pain and complications for your beloved companion. Professional dental cleaning protects your pet’s health, improves their quality of life, and strengthens the bond you share through pain-free meals and fresh breath. Contact our experienced team today to schedule your pet’s dental examination and learn more about our comprehensive dental care services.