What a cat dental procedure involves
A professional dental procedure is more than a cleaning. It is typically done under general anesthesia so that the vet can examine and clean the whole mouth, including below the gumline, and take X-rays. If any teeth are diseased, they may be treated or removed during the same visit.
Before the procedure
- Physical exam and tests: Many clinics check the heart and lungs and run blood tests beforehand to make sure your cat is healthy enough for anesthesia.
- Fasting: You will usually be asked to withhold food for a set time before the visit. Follow your clinic’s instructions exactly, and ask about water and any regular medications.
- Consent and estimate: Because extractions may be needed once X-rays are taken, ask the clinic how they will contact you and what the estimate covers.
During the procedure
- Anesthesia and monitoring: An IV catheter and fluids are common, and a breathing tube protects the airway. Staff monitor vital signs throughout.
- Oral exam and X-rays: Much of the disease in a cat’s mouth is under the gumline, so dental X-rays are an important part of the exam.
- Scaling and polishing: Plaque and tartar are removed above and below the gumline, and the teeth are polished.
- Extractions or other treatment: Diseased or resorbing teeth may be removed, and the gums closed with stitches that typically dissolve. A broken tooth may also be treated; see a broken canine tooth.
After the procedure
Many cats go home the same day, groggy at first (see cat after anesthesia and anesthesia recovery time). Keep your cat somewhere warm and quiet, offer soft food as advised, and give any medication exactly as prescribed. See cat tooth extraction recovery for what is normal afterward.
Is a dental cleaning painful?
Your cat is under anesthesia, so they should not feel the procedure itself. Vets usually give pain relief, especially if teeth are removed. Some soreness afterward is possible.
How risky is it?
Anesthesia always carries some risk, which is why pre-anesthetic checks and monitoring are used. Risk depends on your cat’s age and health. Talk with your vet about your individual cat, including any heart, kidney, or other conditions. Untreated dental disease also carries risks, such as ongoing pain and infection.
Why not a cleaning without anesthesia?
Cleaning only the visible tartar on an awake cat cannot reach below the gumline or allow X-rays, and a cat will not hold still for it. Ask your vet if you are unsure.
At what age do cats start having dental problems?
It varies. Dental disease is common in adult cats and becomes more likely as cats age, so many vets start checking the mouth at routine exams. See how often a cat needs dental cleaning.
How long does it take?
The length depends on the condition of the mouth and the number of extractions, so ask your clinic. The cat will usually be at the clinic for most of the day.
Preparing at home
Follow fasting instructions, bring a list of medications, and arrange a quiet recovery space. To learn what healthy teeth should look like before and after, see what healthy cat teeth look like.