Ultrasonic dental cleaning is an advanced form of veterinary dentistry that uses high-frequency sound waves to safely remove plaque and tartar buildup from your pet’s teeth. Unlike hand scaling alone, ultrasonic technology allows for a more precise and efficient cleaning, especially under the gumline, where harmful bacteria thrive.

At Parkside Pet Hospital, our veterinarians perform every ultrasonic dental procedure under anesthesia to ensure safety, comfort, and complete access to all surfaces of the teeth. The ultrasonic scaler gently vibrates to dislodge hardened debris while flushing the area with water to keep tissues cool and remove loosened particles. After scaling, the teeth are polished to smooth the enamel and discourage future buildup.

This method offers a deeper, more comfortable clean for your pet while helping to prevent gum irritation and long-term oral disease.

Even the most diligent pet owners can’t fully prevent plaque and tartar buildup with at-home brushing alone. A professional veterinary dental cleaning provides several important benefits:

• Eliminates hidden bacteria that cause bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay.
• Prevents tooth loss and helps maintain strong, healthy roots.
• Allows for early detection of cracked teeth, infections, or oral tumors.
• Protects overall health, as untreated dental disease can impact the heart, kidneys, and liver.

At Parkside Pet Hospital, we use digital dental X-rays and ultrasonic scaling technology to ensure that every cleaning is complete, thorough, and tailored to your pet’s needs. Professional veterinary dental care not only enhances your pet’s comfort and quality of life but also prevents costly procedures later.

Many signs of dental disease can go unnoticed until the condition becomes painful. Keep an eye out for these common symptoms:

• Persistent bad breath
• Yellow or brown buildup on teeth
• Red, inflamed, or bleeding gums
• Drooling or pawing at the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or dropping food
• Decreased appetite or weight loss
• Behavioral changes like irritability or withdrawal

If you notice any of these issues, schedule a dental exam at Parkside Pet Hospital. Addressing problems early helps preserve your pet’s teeth and prevents serious infection.

Absolutely. Ultrasonic dental scaling is one of the most effective ways to prevent and manage periodontal disease. Gum disease develops when bacteria in plaque harden into tartar, irritating the gums and leading to infection or bone loss.

By removing bacteria above and below the gumline, ultrasonic cleaning not only restores oral health but also halts the progression of gingivitis. When paired with daily home brushing and periodic checkups, ultrasonic cleanings play a crucial role in maintaining healthy gums, fresh breath, and long-term oral comfort.

For most dogs and cats, an annual dental cleaning is ideal. However, frequency depends on your pet’s breed, age, and oral health history.

• Small-breed dogs and certain cat breeds are more prone to tartar buildup and may require semi-annual cleanings.
• Senior pets often benefit from more frequent exams to monitor for loose teeth or gum disease.
• Pets with existing dental issues may need specialized care plans.

At Parkside Pet Hospital, our veterinarians develop personalized dental care schedules to match each pet’s individual needs, ensuring that prevention stays simple, consistent, and stress-free.

Every pet dental cleaning at Parkside Pet Hospital is performed with precision, safety, and compassion. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Pre-Anesthetic Exam and Lab Work: We perform a full physical exam and run bloodwork to ensure your pet is healthy for anesthesia.
2. Safe Anesthesia and Monitoring: Our experienced team monitors heart rate, oxygenation and respiration, blood pressure, and temperature throughout the procedure.
3. Ultrasonic Scaling: Using state-of-the-art ultrasonic scalers, we remove plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces—above and below the gumline.
4. Polishing: After scaling, the teeth are polished to smooth the enamel and prevent future buildup.
5. Digital Dental X-rays: We evaluate roots and bone structure to detect issues not visible above the gumline. 1 in 4 dogs with healthy-looking teeth on exam have dental disease only detectable with dental x-rays. 
6. Post-Cleaning Evaluation and Home Care Plan: Each pet receives a full oral report and personalized recommendations for home dental care.

This comprehensive process ensures your pet receives complete care, from anesthesia safety to sparkling clean results.

Without professional cleanings, plaque hardens into tartar, which leads to gingivitis, infection, and eventual tooth loss. Left untreated, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, liver, or kidneys.

Skipping regular cleanings not only risks your pet’s comfort but can also make future treatments more complex and expensive. Preventive dental care through ultrasonic cleaning is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to protect your pet’s long-term health.

At Parkside Pet Hospital, a routine dog dental cleaning is $675 and a routine cat dental cleaning is $495. This fee includes the full anesthetic dental procedure, cleaning, polishing, and any standard diagnostics needed to help keep your pet safe and comfortable. If your pet requires tooth extractions or additional treatments, our team will review those recommendations and costs with you before proceeding.

We believe preventive dental care is one of the best investments you can make in your pet’s long term health. Regular cleanings are typically far more affordable than treating advanced periodontal disease, infections, or extensive extractions in the future.

• Pet owners across Vestavia Hills trust Parkside Pet Hospital because we combine medical excellence with personalized, neighborly care. Here’s what sets us apart:

  • A skilled, approachable team that treats every pet like family
  • Advanced ultrasonic dental cleaning technology for safer, more thorough results
  • Personalized treatment plans tailored to your pet’s unique needs, age, and lifestyle
  • Transparent pricing and clear communication
  • Convenient scheduling with same-day availability for select services
  • A calm, modern environment designed around comfort and trust

  From puppies and kittens to senior pets, our doctors focus on long-term wellness and partnership with every family we serve.