Most pet dental disease occurs below the gum line, where you can’t see it. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian. Damage may already be occurring even though the teeth look healthy. Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats. By the time your pet is 3 years old, he or she will very likely already have early evidence of periodontal disease. Professional dental cleaning removes dental plaque and tartar that cause periodontal disease. The dental deposits are removed by ultrasonic and hand dental scalers, and then the teeth are polished to remove residual plaque and to smooth the tooth surface (which delays deposition of plaque and tartar subsequently). The mouth is rinsed to remove debris prior to a final inspection.