Why Your Pet Needs More Than “Just a Teeth Cleaning”

What Is COHAT?

A COHAT is the gold standard of veterinary dental care. It includes a complete examination of your pet's oral cavity while they are under general anesthesia, allowing us to thoroughly evaluate areas that simply cannot be examined in an awake pet.

A COHAT typically includes:

● A complete oral examination
● Full-mouth dental X-rays
● Professional scaling above and below the gumline
● Polishing the teeth
● Periodontal evaluation
● Treatment of diseased teeth when necessary, including extractions if indicated
● Pain management before, during, and after the procedure

Every step is designed to identify and treat disease—not just remove visible tartar.

Why Can't My Pet Have Their Teeth Cleaned While Awake?

Many people have seen advertisements for anesthesia-free dental cleanings. While these procedures may remove some visible tartar, they do not treat the most important part of dental disease.

Over 60% of each tooth lies below the gumline, where periodontal disease develops. Cleaning beneath the gums is uncomfortable and cannot be performed safely or effectively on an awake dog or cat.

Anesthesia also allows us to:

● Thoroughly examine every tooth
● Probe around each tooth for periodontal pockets
● Clean below the gumline
● Take dental X-rays
● Perform any necessary treatment immediately

Without anesthesia, much of the disease causing pain and infection remains hidden

Dental X-Rays Tell the Rest of the Story

One of the most valuable parts of a COHAT is full-mouth dental radiographs.

Many painful dental conditions cannot be seen just by looking at the crown of the tooth.

Dental X-rays help us identify:

● Feet and paws
● Ears
● Face and muzzle
● Armpits
● Belly
● Groin
● Around the tail

In fact, studies have shown that a significant percentage of pets have dental disease hidden
below the gumline despite having teeth that appear relatively normal.

Without dental radiographs, these painful conditions may go completely undiagnosed.

It's About More Than Bad Breath

Many owners seek dental care because their pet has bad breath, but bad breath is actually a
sign of bacterial infection.

Untreated dental disease can lead to:

● Chronic pain
● Tooth loss
● Difficulty eating
● Gum infections
● Bone loss around the teeth
● Oral infections that may affect other parts of the body

Because pets instinctively hide pain, many continue eating despite having severe dental disease.

After a COHAT, owners often tell us their pet seems younger, happier, and more energetic. They may be playing more, eating better, and acting like themselves again. That's because chronic oral pain has finally been addressed.

Every Mouth Is Different

No two dental procedures are exactly alike.

Some pets only need a professional cleaning, while others require treatment for advanced periodontal disease or extractions of teeth that are causing pain.

Our goal is never to remove teeth unnecessarily. Instead, we preserve healthy teeth whenever possible and remove only those that are beyond saving or causing discomfort.

Prevention Is Always Easier

Routine dental care helps prevent painful disease before it becomes severe.

Depending on your pet, this may include:

● Regular COHATs as recommended by your veterinarian
● Daily tooth brushing
● Veterinary-approved dental chews or diets
● Dental rinses or water additives when appropriate
● Routine oral examinations during wellness visits

The earlier dental disease is identified, the less extensive—and often less costly—treatment tends to be.