Did you know that over 80% of dogs develop dental disease by age three? At South Pasadena Animal Hospital in Alhambra, we perform professional dental cleanings under safe anesthesia to protect your dog's teeth, gums, and overall health. From routine cleanings to extractions, our team provides thorough dental care that keeps your dog comfortable and pain-free.
Untreated dental disease doesn't just cause mouth pain — bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, kidneys, and liver. Regular dental cleanings help prevent these serious complications.
Dogs are remarkably good at hiding oral pain. By the time you notice symptoms like bad breath, difficulty eating, or dropping food, dental disease may already be advanced. Professional cleanings catch problems early.
Preventive dental care is far less expensive than treating advanced dental disease, which can require multiple extractions, antibiotics, and follow-up visits. Regular cleanings keep costs predictable and manageable.
Studies show that dogs with good dental health tend to live longer. By keeping your dog's teeth and gums healthy, you're investing in more years together.
Many dog owners don't realize their pet has dental disease until it's advanced. Watch for these common signs that your dog may need professional dental care:
If you notice any of these signs, we recommend scheduling a dental evaluation as soon as possible. Early treatment prevents further damage and keeps your dog more comfortable.
A professional dental cleaning at South Pasadena Animal Hospital is a thorough, multi-step procedure performed under safe general anesthesia. Here's what to expect:
Pre-anesthesia bloodwork: Before the procedure, we run bloodwork to make sure your dog is healthy enough for anesthesia. This is especially important for older dogs or those with existing health conditions.
General anesthesia: Your dog is placed under safe general anesthesia so we can perform a thorough cleaning without causing stress or pain. Our team monitors vital signs continuously throughout the procedure.
Full oral examination: Once your dog is under anesthesia, we examine every tooth, the gums, tongue, and the entire oral cavity. We check for loose teeth, fractures, pockets, and other issues that aren't visible during a regular exam.
Scaling: We use professional-grade ultrasonic and hand scaling tools to remove tartar and plaque from every surface of every tooth — including below the gum line where bacteria hide.
Polishing: After scaling, we polish each tooth to smooth the enamel surface. This makes it harder for plaque and bacteria to re-attach to the teeth.
Extractions (if needed): If we find severely diseased, fractured, or loose teeth, we may recommend extractions during the same procedure. We'll always discuss this with you beforehand when possible.
Recovery and aftercare: Your dog will wake up in a warm, monitored recovery area. Most dogs go home the same day. We'll provide detailed aftercare instructions, including any prescribed medications, dietary recommendations, and follow-up care.
We're located at 3116 W Main St in Alhambra, with free street parking right outside. Easy to reach from anywhere in Alhambra, South Pasadena, Pasadena, and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley.
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Closed for lunch 1–2 PM everyday.
We also serve pet families in South Pasadena, Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel, and Monterey Park. Looking for general dog care? Visit our dog vet page.
The cost of a dental cleaning depends on the severity of dental disease and whether extractions are needed. Our base dental cleaning prices are published on our pricing page. We'll always provide a cost estimate before proceeding and will contact you during the procedure if additional work is recommended.
Yes. Modern veterinary anesthesia is very safe when performed by a trained team. We run pre-anesthesia bloodwork to identify any concerns, use carefully calibrated anesthesia protocols, and monitor your dog's vital signs continuously throughout the entire procedure. The risk of leaving dental disease untreated is typically far greater than the risk of anesthesia.
Most dogs benefit from a professional dental cleaning once a year, though some dogs — especially small breeds that are prone to dental disease — may need cleanings more frequently. Your veterinarian will recommend a schedule based on your dog's individual oral health.
Common signs include bad breath, yellow or brown tartar on the teeth, red or swollen gums, difficulty eating, dropping food, excessive drooling, and pawing at the mouth. During your dog's annual wellness exam, our team will evaluate their oral health and let you know if a cleaning is recommended.
Most dogs recover quickly from a routine dental cleaning and go home the same day. Your dog may be a little groggy from anesthesia for the rest of the evening. If extractions were performed, we'll provide pain medication and recommend soft food for a few days. Most dogs are back to their normal selves within 24 to 48 hours.
Home brushing is a great way to slow plaque buildup between professional cleanings, and we encourage it. However, brushing alone cannot remove tartar that has already hardened on the teeth or clean below the gum line. Professional cleanings and home care work best together as part of a complete dental health plan.
If you have been searching for dog dental cleaning in Alhambra, South Pasadena Animal Hospital provides professional dental care for dogs at our clinic at 3116 West Main Street. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs — studies show that over 80 percent of dogs develop some form of dental disease by age three. Left untreated, dental disease causes chronic pain, tooth loss, and can lead to infections that affect the heart, kidneys, and liver.
Our dental cleaning procedure is performed under safe general anesthesia with continuous vital sign monitoring. The process includes a thorough oral examination, ultrasonic scaling to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, polishing to smooth tooth surfaces, and extractions when necessary. We run pre-anesthesia bloodwork on every patient to ensure they are healthy enough for the procedure.
Small dog breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Poodles are especially prone to dental disease and often need cleanings more frequently than larger breeds. If your small dog has persistent bad breath, visible tartar, or difficulty eating, a dental evaluation is an important first step.
Regular dental care is one of the most impactful things you can do for your dog's long-term health and comfort. Our veterinary team, led by Dr. Sylvia Chiang and Dr. Gina Navia, will assess your dog's oral health during their wellness exam and recommend a cleaning schedule tailored to their individual needs. Our pricing is published online for full transparency.
To schedule a dental evaluation or cleaning for your dog, book online or call us at (626) 441-1314. We serve dog owners throughout Alhambra, South Pasadena, Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel, and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley.
Schedule a dental evaluation online in under a minute, or call us and our team will find a time that works for you.