How Often Should Pets Get Their Teeth Cleaned?

Why Pet Dental Cleanings Are Essential

Plaque can harden into tartar, which cannot be removed with brushing alone. Over time, tartar buildup can lead to periodontal disease, bad breath, loose teeth, and painful infections. Bacteria from the mouth may also affect other areas of the body, including the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Professional dental cleanings allow our veterinary team to clean above and below the gumline, assess each tooth, and identify problems that may not be visible during a basic oral check.

Most pets benefit from a professional dental cleaning about once a year. However, the right schedule depends on your pet’s age, breed, oral health, diet, and home dental care routine. Some pets may need cleanings more often, especially if they are prone to tartar buildup or gum disease.

Small breed dogs, senior pets, and pets with crowded teeth often develop dental issues faster. Cats can also experience painful dental conditions that may require close monitoring and routine care.

Signs Your Pet May Need a Dental Cleaning

Your pet may need a dental exam or cleaning if you notice:

Bad breath that does not improve

Yellow or brown tartar on the teeth

Red, swollen, or bleeding gums

Drooling or dropping food while eating

Pawing at the mouth or face

Loose, broken, or missing teeth

Changes in appetite or chewing habits

Even if your pet is still eating normally, dental pain can still be present. Many pets continue to eat despite discomfort, which is why routine dental exams are so important.

What Happens During a Professional Pet Teeth Cleaning?

A veterinary dental cleaning is more thorough than home brushing. It typically includes an oral evaluation, scaling to remove plaque and tartar, cleaning beneath the gumline, polishing the teeth, and checking for signs of infection, tooth damage, or periodontal disease.

Because pets cannot sit still and cooperate the way people can during dental care, professional cleanings are performed with anesthesia. This allows our veterinary team to clean safely, reduce stress, and fully examine the mouth.

How to Support Your Pet’s Dental Health at Home

Home care can help slow plaque buildup between professional cleanings. Brushing your pet’s teeth with pet-safe toothpaste is one of the best options, but dental chews, water additives, and veterinarian-recommended diets may also help. Not every product is right for every pet, so it is best to ask your veterinarian which options fit your pet’s needs. Routine exams, consistent home care, and professional cleanings work together to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthier.

When to Schedule a Dental Visit

If it has been more than a year since your pet’s last dental cleaning, or if you have noticed changes in breath, chewing, gums, or tartar buildup, it may be time to schedule a dental evaluation. Early care can prevent small dental concerns from becoming more painful and expensive issues.

Schedule your pet’s dental exam with Pet Hospitals of Hawaii to help protect their teeth, gums, and overall health with professional veterinary dental care. Visit our office in Waipahu, Waikele, Wahiawa, Makai, or Kailua, and a new location coming soon! Call (808) 671-7387 (PETS) to book an appointment.