Anesthesia-Free Dentals: What Pet Owners Need to Know!!!

Your pet’s teeth may look clean… but are they healthy?
At River Mill Animal Hospital, we’re often asked about anesthesia-free dental cleanings. While these cleanings may remove visible tartar, they do not treat dental disease below the gumline — where infection, inflammation, discomfort, and damaged teeth are commonly found.

Because pets are awake during anesthesia-free procedures, they do not allow for:

Thorough cleaning below the gumline

Complete oral exams

Safe treatment of painful or infected teeth

Proper scaling and polishing of all tooth surfaces

Professional veterinary dental cleanings under anesthesia allow our team to:

Perform a thorough oral exam

Clean above and below the gumline

Safely scale and polish the teeth

Evaluate for signs of dental disease

We understand anesthesia can feel intimidating, which is why patient safety and monitoring are always top priorities at River Mill Animal Hospital.

If you’re looking for dog or cat dental cleanings in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, or Zephyrhills, our team is here to help keep your pet healthy and comfortable