Dog & Cat Dental Cleaning in Plantation, FL
Full anesthetic cleanings with digital dental X-rays — the only way to truly clean below the gumline.
Pet Dental Cleaning
Dentistry is one of the two areas PAWS Veterinary Center is best known for. By age 3, most dogs and cats have some form of dental disease — and untreated periodontal disease is linked to heart, kidney, and liver problems. We offer thorough anesthetic dental cleanings with full-mouth digital dental X-rays on every patient, the standard of care recommended by the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC).
Awake or 'anesthesia-free' cleanings only scrape the visible surfaces of teeth and miss the disease that hides below the gumline — where 60% of every tooth lives. We use full anesthesia so we can probe, X-ray, scale ultrasonically, polish, and treat every tooth properly and painlessly.
Every dental patient receives pre-anesthetic bloodwork, IV fluids, dedicated anesthetic monitoring (heart rate, ECG, blood pressure, oxygen, CO₂, temperature), and multi-modal pain control. A licensed veterinary technician monitors your pet from induction through full recovery — not just during the procedure.
We image, probe, and chart every tooth individually. If we find a diseased, fractured, or resorptive tooth that needs to be extracted, we'll call you with photos and X-rays before proceeding. You're never surprised by the discharge bill — and your pet is never put through a second anesthesia event.
Cats get the same gold-standard care, with special attention to feline tooth resorption (FORL) — a painful condition affecting up to 60% of cats over age 6 that is only visible on dental X-rays. We extract resorptive teeth using crown amputation when indicated, following AVDC guidelines.
After the cleaning, we send your pet home the same day with a custom home dental care plan — brushing technique videos, VOHC-approved chews and water additives, and product recommendations to extend the gap between professional cleanings.
What's Included
- Pre-anesthetic exam & full bloodwork panel
- IV catheter, IV fluids & warming support
- Advanced anesthetic monitoring (ECG, BP, SpO₂, capnography, temperature)
- Ultrasonic scaling above & below the gumline
- Polishing & fluoride treatment
- Full-mouth digital dental X-rays — on every patient
- Tooth-by-tooth oral exam, probing & dental charting
- Local nerve blocks & multi-modal pain control for extractions
- Photo & X-ray review with you before any extractions
- Take-home dental care plan with brushing & product guidance
Why Choose PAWS for Pet Dental Cleaning
Cornell-Trained DVM
Dr. Blake Hefter completed clinical training at Cornell — one of the world's leading veterinary programs — and leads a team of doctors with 7+ years of hands-on experience on every case.
Separate Entrances
Dogs and cats have their own entrances and waiting areas. Every visit is calmer, quieter, and far less stressful for your pet.
Holistic Options Available
Through our Da Cura Pets partnership, we offer acupuncture and integrative therapies alongside conventional medicine when they're a good fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my pet need anesthesia for a cleaning?+
Anesthesia lets us clean below the gumline (where dental disease lives), take diagnostic X-rays, and probe each tooth — none of which is possible on an awake pet. Anesthesia-free dentistry is purely cosmetic and the AVDC formally opposes it because it leaves disease untreated. With modern protocols, monitoring, and pre-op bloodwork, anesthesia is very safe.
How often should my pet have a dental cleaning?+
Most dogs and cats benefit from a professional cleaning every 1–2 years. Small breeds (Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds) and brachycephalic pets (Bulldogs, Persians) often need them annually because of crowded mouths.
Are dental X-rays really necessary?+
Yes. Studies show ~28% of dogs and ~42% of cats have clinically significant disease only visible on X-rays. We include full-mouth digital dental X-rays on every cleaning — no upcharge.
How much does a pet dental cleaning cost in Plantation, FL?+
Cost varies by pet size, age, and the amount of disease present, but a typical dog or cat dental at PAWS — including bloodwork, IV fluids, anesthesia, monitoring, full-mouth X-rays, scaling, and polishing — generally runs in line with other AAHA-style hospitals in Broward County. We provide a written estimate after your pet's exam and never proceed with extractions without calling you first.
What if my pet has bad breath?+
Bad breath (halitosis) is almost always a sign of bacterial buildup and periodontal disease — not just 'doggy breath.' It's the most common reason owners book a dental, and the easiest sign that a cleaning is overdue.
Is my older pet too old for a dental?+
Age is not a disease. With proper pre-anesthetic bloodwork, IV fluids, and tailored drug protocols, healthy senior dogs and cats safely have dentals every day. The bigger risk is leaving painful, infected teeth in place.
Offering Pet Dental Cleaning to Pet Owners Across Broward County
Schedule Your Pet's Pet Dental Cleaning Today
📞 Call (954) 933-1935 →Mon–Fri 8a–6p