How important are dental cleanings?

October · 06-02-2011, 11:42 AM

When we took Murphy to the vet a couple months ago, the vet said he should have a dental cleaning because he does have a little gingivitis. This was the first time we've seen this vet, so I don't have any gauge on how much, if any, they push unnecessary stuff. I've also never had a cat that needed a dental, so I don't really know what to expect.

Just wondered if you have any experience with vets recommending dentals . . . do you think they tend to push dental services beyond what's really necessary, or would you trust what they're saying and do it? Also, how many dental cleanings would you expect a cat to need in his/her lifetime?

Nan · 06-02-2011, 12:09 PM

Depends on the cat. Like people, some have good healthy teeth & others get dental disease easier. Sophie had good teeth and I only think she had a dental done 3 times in a 17+ year lifespan. After the first dental was done, I got yearly "reminders" mailed, but the vet never pushed it.

Before I made the decision on my two, I considered a DLH cat, who was not quite 2 and you could already see plaque on her teeth.

catloverami · 06-02-2011, 12:13 PM

It depends on what the cat is eating. If it's eating raw and crunching on chicken wings, it may not need any dental cleaning for many years. My Devons won't eat raw (I keep trying), but canned (no grain) and a little Evo kibble. They had their first dental cleaning a few months ago at 6 y.o. They had developed some plaque and I didn't want it to get worse and develop into periodontal disease. The dentist said the amount was "moderate". I've also given them for past couple of years "Nature's Dentist" sprinked on their food which is supposed to aid in maintaining their teeth.
Nature's Dentist - Canada - Tartar and Plaque Control

I hope it will be another 5 yrs. before they need another cleaning. Some breeds and some cats are more prone to gingivitis than others, so it may be a shorter time they need to be cleaned. It is very important that the work be done, particularly for older cats, as periodontal disease can infect the valves of the heart, as well as cause disease in other organs.

Periodontal Disease in Cats

Dental Disease (Periodontal Disease, Gingivitis, Stomatitis) by Shawn Messonnier, DVM

Carmel · 06-02-2011, 01:47 PM

They are very important but I'd be leery of a vet saying Murphy needs one when it's the first time you've gone to visit them. Dental cleanings cost at least 500 dollars so I bet they'd love if you went every year!

Some cats, like Siamese, need them a lot more often. Other cats may not really need them at all...

October · 06-02-2011, 02:23 PM

Hmmmm. I called to ask more questions, and found out they only charge $220 for a cleaning. Is it typical that a dental specialist type, whether a vet or not, does all the dental work? That's what they said.

champagne1962 · 06-02-2011, 02:51 PM

My 6 year old cat, Dom and 7 year old cat, Missy had their teeth cleaned for the first time this year. The vet could actually flick the plaque of Missy's teeth so we had it done and went ahead and had Dom's done as well since the vet had a 20% off special that month (it was pet dental month which was February I think). She had never pushed dental before and it was less than 200 for each. My vet even cut a cyst out of Missy's tail while she was asleep and did not charge us extra except for the antibiotic. They both only eat dry food and some tuna.

October · 06-02-2011, 03:15 PM

Champagne, how did it go? I really hate the idea of him being sedated, so I'm really kind of afraid of the whole thing.

**marie73** · 06-02-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by October

Hmmmm. I called to ask more questions, and found out they only charge $220 for a cleaning. Is it typical that a dental specialist type, whether a vet or not, does all the dental work? That's what they said.

Dentals start at $395 here. Gigi's estimate is over $500 for next week. $220 - is that awake cleaning? I know some places do that now. Most of the cost is for the anesthesiologist here. Her teeth are pretty bad, which I don't understand because when I brought her in for her "new kitty" check-up a year ago, they were fine.

Kobster · 06-02-2011, 06:28 PM

I would say its pretty important. Like others have said, some cats never need them, others are plagued with dental problems. I work for a vet now that has a board certified dentist on staff who does all the dental procedures (its a referral hospital so we see lots of cool stuff like crowns, root canals, etc) We always use anesthesia and NEVER EVER fall for someone trying to see you an "awake" cleaning. They aren't safe or effective. The animal needs to be sedated to do a subgingival scaling which is necessary to actual tooth and gum health. Otherwise they just clean the surface but leave the real problem behind. I would also recommend using a vet clinic that does dental xrays. Teeth can look normal on the surface but be brewing tooth root abseces and other issues below the gumline.
I think the most common dental procedure we do on cats is a full mouth extraction due to severe stomatitis. No one knows why some cats get this disorder and others don't, but it looks like gingivitis, but causes bone loss and severe pain.
Sorry, more info than you asked for. We see lots and lots of teeth at work! LOL!

lisak_87 · 06-02-2011, 08:37 PM

None of my cats ever had dental cleanings. None of my cats ever had teeth problems. That's bout all I know!

06-02-2011, 11:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
October Premier Cat Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 8,001	How important are dental cleanings? When we took Murphy to the vet a couple months ago, the vet said he should have a dental cleaning because he does have a little gingivitis. This was the first time we've seen this vet, so I don't have any gauge on how much, if any, they push unnecessary stuff. I've also never had a cat that needed a dental, so I don't really know what to expect. Just wondered if you have any experience with vets recommending dentals . . . do you think they tend to push dental services beyond what's really necessary, or would you trust what they're saying and do it? Also, how many dental cleanings would you expect a cat to need in his/her lifetime? __________________ Holly and Murphy

06-02-2011, 12:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nan Senior Cat Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 860	Depends on the cat. Like people, some have good healthy teeth & others get dental disease easier. Sophie had good teeth and I only think she had a dental done 3 times in a 17+ year lifespan. After the first dental was done, I got yearly "reminders" mailed, but the vet never pushed it. Before I made the decision on my two, I considered a DLH cat, who was not quite 2 and you could already see plaque on her teeth. __________________

06-02-2011, 01:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Carmel Cool Cat Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,212	They are very important but I'd be leery of a vet saying Murphy needs one when it's the first time you've gone to visit them. Dental cleanings cost at least 500 dollars so I bet they'd love if you went every year! Some cats, like Siamese, need them a lot more often. Other cats may not really need them at all... __________________

06-02-2011, 02:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
October Premier Cat Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 8,001	Hmmmm. I called to ask more questions, and found out they only charge $220 for a cleaning. Is it typical that a dental specialist type, whether a vet or not, does all the dental work? That's what they said. __________________ Holly and Murphy

06-02-2011, 03:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
October Premier Cat Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 8,001	Champagne, how did it go? I really hate the idea of him being sedated, so I'm really kind of afraid of the whole thing. __________________ Holly and Murphy

06-02-2011, 12:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
catloverami Cat Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cobourg, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,608	It depends on what the cat is eating. If it's eating raw and crunching on chicken wings, it may not need any dental cleaning for many years. My Devons won't eat raw (I keep trying), but canned (no grain) and a little Evo kibble. They had their first dental cleaning a few months ago at 6 y.o. They had developed some plaque and I didn't want it to get worse and develop into periodontal disease. The dentist said the amount was "moderate". I've also given them for past couple of years "Nature's Dentist" sprinked on their food which is supposed to aid in maintaining their teeth. Nature's Dentist - Canada - Tartar and Plaque Control I hope it will be another 5 yrs. before they need another cleaning. Some breeds and some cats are more prone to gingivitis than others, so it may be a shorter time they need to be cleaned. It is very important that the work be done, particularly for older cats, as periodontal disease can infect the valves of the heart, as well as cause disease in other organs. Periodontal Disease in Cats Dental Disease (Periodontal Disease, Gingivitis, Stomatitis) by Shawn Messonnier, DVM

06-02-2011, 02:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
champagne1962 Jr. Cat Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond Hill, GA right outside Savannah, GA Posts: 44	My 6 year old cat, Dom and 7 year old cat, Missy had their teeth cleaned for the first time this year. The vet could actually flick the plaque of Missy's teeth so we had it done and went ahead and had Dom's done as well since the vet had a 20% off special that month (it was pet dental month which was February I think). She had never pushed dental before and it was less than 200 for each. My vet even cut a cyst out of Missy's tail while she was asleep and did not charge us extra except for the antibiotic. They both only eat dry food and some tuna.

06-02-2011, 06:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kobster Cat Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,019	I would say its pretty important. Like others have said, some cats never need them, others are plagued with dental problems. I work for a vet now that has a board certified dentist on staff who does all the dental procedures (its a referral hospital so we see lots of cool stuff like crowns, root canals, etc) We always use anesthesia and NEVER EVER fall for someone trying to see you an "awake" cleaning. They aren't safe or effective. The animal needs to be sedated to do a subgingival scaling which is necessary to actual tooth and gum health. Otherwise they just clean the surface but leave the real problem behind. I would also recommend using a vet clinic that does dental xrays. Teeth can look normal on the surface but be brewing tooth root abseces and other issues below the gumline. I think the most common dental procedure we do on cats is a full mouth extraction due to severe stomatitis. No one knows why some cats get this disorder and others don't, but it looks like gingivitis, but causes bone loss and severe pain. Sorry, more info than you asked for. We see lots and lots of teeth at work! LOL! __________________ Rachael with Thurston, Sully and Ninja and Moxie their canine guardian. Kobie, Mocha, Puzzles and Tyler, Gone but never forgotten

06-02-2011, 08:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
lisak_87 Jr. Cat Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NoVA Posts: 49	None of my cats ever had dental cleanings. None of my cats ever had teeth problems. That's bout all I know!

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