Dog Dental Cleaning Tijuana — Professional Cleaning From $150

Why Dental Health Is Critical for Your Dog

By age three, approximately 80% of dogs show signs of dental disease. This is not a cosmetic issue — it is a medical one. Periodontal disease causes chronic pain, tooth loss, and bacterial infections that can spread to the heart, kidneys, and liver. Dogs are experts at hiding pain, so many owners do not realize their pet is suffering until the disease is advanced.

Professional dental cleaning under anesthesia is the only way to properly clean below the gumline, where 60% of dental disease occurs. Home brushing and dental chews help maintain oral health between cleanings, but they cannot substitute for professional scaling and polishing.

The barrier for most pet owners is cost. In San Diego, a dental cleaning ranges from $500 to $1,500 — and that is before any extractions. If your dog needs several teeth pulled, the bill can easily exceed $2,000-$3,000. Through CBX Pet Care, a professional dental cleaning with the same standard of care costs $150-$250, with extractions at $30-$80 per tooth.

What Is Included in a Professional Dental Cleaning

A professional veterinary dental cleaning — properly called a dental prophylaxis — includes several steps that cannot be performed on a conscious animal:

1. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork: Organ function is tested to confirm your pet can safely undergo anesthesia. This is performed at the clinic on the day of the procedure and is included in the cost.
2. General anesthesia: Your dog is placed under general anesthesia with continuous monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen, and temperature. This is not optional — “anesthesia-free” dental cleanings cannot clean below the gumline and are considered inadequate by veterinary dental specialists.
3. Full oral examination: With the patient under anesthesia, the veterinarian performs a thorough examination of every tooth, the gums, tongue, palate, and oral mucosa.
4. Dental radiographs (X-rays): Digital dental X-rays reveal disease below the gumline that is invisible to the naked eye — root abscesses, bone loss, retained roots, and resorptive lesions.
5. Ultrasonic scaling: An ultrasonic scaler removes calculus (tarite) from above and below the gumline on every tooth surface.
6. Subgingival cleaning: Hand instruments are used to clean the sulcus (the space between the tooth and gum) where bacteria accumulate and cause periodontal disease.
7. Polishing: After scaling, every tooth is polished to smooth micro-scratches in the enamel that could harbor bacteria.
8. Fluoride treatment: A fluoride application strengthens enamel and reduces sensitivity.
9. Charting: A dental chart is completed documenting the condition of each tooth, pocket depths, and any extractions performed.

Extractions — When Teeth Need to Come Out

Not every dental cleaning requires extractions, but many do — especially for dogs with advanced periodontal disease, fractured teeth, or resorptive lesions. The veterinarian makes extraction decisions based on the clinical exam and dental X-rays while your pet is under anesthesia.

Through CBX Pet Care, extractions cost $30-$80 per tooth depending on the type of tooth and difficulty of extraction. In San Diego, individual extractions typically add $100-$300 per tooth to the cleaning bill.

Common reasons for extraction include:

• Severe periodontal disease: When bone loss exceeds 50% around a tooth root, the tooth cannot be saved
• Fractured teeth: Broken teeth with exposed pulp cause pain and infection
• Tooth root abscesses: Infected root tips visible on dental X-rays
• Resorptive lesions: The body dissolves tooth structure, particularly common in cats
• Retained deciduous teeth: Baby teeth that did not fall out naturally, common in small breeds
• Loose teeth: Teeth with severe mobility due to bone loss

Our checkout call includes a detailed review of which teeth were extracted and why, along with aftercare instructions for the extraction sites.

Cost Comparison — Dental Care in San Diego vs. Tijuana

Service	San Diego	CBX Pet Care
Dental cleaning (no extractions)	$500–$1,500	$150–$250
Extraction per tooth	$100–$300	$30–$80
Cleaning + 5 extractions	$1,000–$3,000	$300–$650
Full-mouth extractions (severe disease)	$2,500–$5,000	$600–$1,500
Dental X-rays (full mouth)	$150–$400	Included

Cat Dental Cleaning

CBX Pet Care coordinates dental cleaning for cats as well as dogs. Cats commonly suffer from periodontal disease, tooth resorption (formerly called FORLs), and stomatitis. The dental cleaning process for cats follows the same protocol as dogs — anesthesia, full oral exam, digital X-rays, scaling, polishing, and extractions as needed.

Cat dental cleanings through CBX Pet Care cost the same as dog cleanings: $150-$250 for the cleaning, $30-$80 per extraction. In San Diego, cat dental cleanings are often priced similarly to dog cleanings at $500-$1,500.

An important advantage for cat owners: cats have no border crossing requirements in either direction. No microchip, no CDC form, no rabies certificate. This makes the process even simpler than for dogs.

Fasting Requirements for Dental Day

Because dental cleaning requires general anesthesia, your pet must fast before the procedure:

• Food: No food after midnight the night before the appointment. This means picking up the food bowl at bedtime.
• Water: Water can be available until 2 hours before drop-off time (approximately 5-7 AM depending on your drop-off time).
• Medications: If your pet takes morning medications, ask our coordinator whether they should be given on dental day. Most medications can be given with a tiny amount of food.

Signs Your Dog Needs a Dental Cleaning

Many pet owners are unsure whether their dog truly needs professional dental care. Here are the signs that indicate it is time:

• Bad breath (halitosis) — the most common sign of dental disease
• Yellow or brown buildup on teeth (calculus)
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Difficulty eating or dropping food
• Pawing at the mouth
• Drooling more than usual
• Reluctance to chew toys or hard treats
• Facial swelling (may indicate a tooth root abscess)
• Loose or missing teeth

If your dog shows any of these signs, dental disease is likely already present. A professional cleaning and assessment can identify the extent of the problem and address it before it progresses further.

Aftercare Following Dental Cleaning

Most dogs recover from dental cleaning quickly and are back to normal within 24-48 hours. Here is what to expect:

Day of procedure: Your dog may be groggy from anesthesia for several hours after pickup. Offer a small amount of soft food in the evening. Some minor bleeding from the gums is normal, especially if extractions were performed.

Days 1-3: Soft food is recommended, especially if extractions were done. Avoid hard treats, bones, and tug-of-war toys. Any prescribed antibiotics or pain medication should be given as directed.

Days 4-14: Gradual return to normal diet. If extractions were performed, the extraction sites should heal within 10-14 days. Watch for excessive bleeding, swelling, or refusal to eat, which would warrant a visit to your local San Diego veterinarian.

Long-term: Begin a home dental care routine — brushing 2-3 times per week with veterinary toothpaste, dental chews, or water additives. This extends the time between professional cleanings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Dental Cleaning

How often does my dog need a dental cleaning?

Most veterinary dentists recommend annual dental cleanings for dogs, similar to how humans visit the dentist yearly. Small breeds and breeds prone to dental disease (Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Greyhounds) may benefit from cleanings every 6-12 months. Your veterinarian can advise based on your dog’s individual needs.

Is anesthesia really necessary for dental cleaning?

Yes. Thorough cleaning below the gumline, proper dental X-rays, and safe extraction of diseased teeth all require general anesthesia. “Anesthesia-free” dental cleanings only address the visible crown surface and are considered cosmetic, not medical, by the American Veterinary Dental College.

My dog is older — is anesthesia safe?

Age alone is not a contraindication for anesthesia. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork screens for organ function issues. The anesthesia team uses protocols adjusted for senior patients, with continuous monitoring throughout. Many older dogs benefit enormously from dental cleaning, as chronic dental pain significantly impacts quality of life.

How many teeth might need to be extracted?

This varies widely. Some dogs need no extractions. Others with severe periodontal disease may need 5-15 teeth removed. The veterinarian makes extraction decisions based on clinical examination and dental X-rays while your pet is under anesthesia. You are informed of all extractions during the checkout phone call.

Can my dog eat normally after extractions?

Dogs adapt remarkably well to missing teeth. Even dogs who have had full-mouth extractions can eat kibble within a few weeks. During the initial healing period (10-14 days), soft food is recommended. Most dogs show improved appetite and energy after painful teeth are removed.

Do you provide dental cleaning for puppies?

Dental cleanings are generally recommended starting at age 1-2, once all permanent teeth have erupted. However, if a young dog has retained deciduous (baby) teeth that are causing problems, we can coordinate their removal. Retained baby teeth should be removed to prevent crowding and dental disease.

Last updated: March 2026