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Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur
DOG TEETH CLEANING
Dog teeth cleaning is usually recommended annually. If you don’t brush your dog’s teeth or they eat wet food or have an underlying health condition then their teeth may benefit from annual dental cleaning.
However, certain medical conditions may not be able to undergo anesthesia for something non-emergency like a dog teeth cleaning.
In this instance, there is another type of dental cleaning in dogs called non-anesthetic dental cleaning where the dog is actually awake and no sedation is required.
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR NON-ANESTHESIA DENTAL CLEANING IN DOGS
- A physical exam
- A temperament test to determine if non-anesthetic dental cleaning is an option and if your pet will tolerate being
- Awake during the procedure
- Scaling of teeth to remove plaque and tartar
- Checking for dental pockets or gum disease
- Polishing of teeth
- Fluoride rinse with chlorohexidine to disinfect after cleaning
NON-ANESTHESIA DENTAL CLEANING IN DOGS
You can see the procedure for Non-anesthesia dental cleaning here. If your dog is a suitable candidate and you don’t like your animal being put under anesthesia every year, then this dog teeth cleaning option may be for you.
This means your dog is awake which could put more unnecessary stress on your pet.
They are actually able to clean the inside of the mouth with the dental scaling tool.
Keep in mind that your dog is awake, and you run the risk of your pet not being such a cooperative patient when cleaning under the gums and inside the mouth.
The sound from the polishing machine might be an issue or maybe having to be still for such a long amount of time or maybe your pet is just frightened of the vet in general.
There are both pros and cons to this procedure.
DENTAL CLEANING IN DOGS WITH ANESTHESIA
This is what I usually have done as an add on, along with a nail trimming, if I know that one of my fur kids has to have a surgery for something else.
I don’t usually do this unless they are having a surgery already. But you can elect to bring your furbaby in every year for their regularly scheduled anesthesia dental cleaning, if you like.
I am just not fond of sedating my pets unnecessarily and for no reason other than to clean their teeth.
Plus, I brush their teeth everyday anyways.
So needless to say, this doesn’t get done every year or very often.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ANESTHESIA DENTAL CLEANING IN DOGS
When going for a dental cleaning exam that includes sedation, you can expect;
- Physical exam
- Pre-anesthetic blood work-up
- Examination of all teeth
- General cleanings involve scaling the teeth to remove any plaque and tartar build up
- Polishing the teeth
- A plan of action depending on if more is required than just a cleaning such as;
- Possible X-rays
- Dental extractions
DENTAL CLEANING IN DOGS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME
Consistent brushing of your pet’s teeth is one way to maintain good oral health in your pets.
HOW TO BRUSH DOG TEETH A HELPFUL STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
There are also treats that have been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, that can help reduce plaque and tartar
