Do you get your cat's teeth cleaned?

[Flossyfloof]

Just been for the annual trauma that is booster time with my three cats. They have said that the older one has a significant build up of tartar and suggested a teeth clean.
This involves a pre-med and general anaesthetic, being on a drip, tooth exam, removal of any which need removing, descale and polish, no doubt at an extortionate price.

She is not insured but I doubt if insurance would cover this anyway - presume they would call it general maintenance?
Anyway, the cost is not really an issue but the whole general anaesthetic thing really bothers me. Obviously I don't want my cat to have a sore mouth; she didn't have the best start in life but has the life of Riley with me. She is much loved. A friend's daughter is a vet and she once lost a dog on the operating table from hyperthermia and I suppose this is on my mind as well, a,though not the same situation, obviously.
So - do you have your cat's teeth cleaned? How often?

I'm so sorry about your lad who died. I know that with Seniorboy, I had little choice - he wasn't going to live very long with his lousy mouth (and was already being sick a lot) and would have likely had much pain for what time he had. I had to make the call even though no GA is entirely without risk.

Good luck to your other cat.

Oh, I hear you, Cozie. And I'd make the same decision too, and may have to, in the not too distant future. My regrets should not put anyone else off, but as you say, it's not entirely without risk.

Thank you for your kind thoughts.