It can be difficult to provide an accurate oral exam in a dog who’s awake. Even with the most docile pet, it can be difficult to see into the back of the mouth or investigate below the gum line.
It’s difficult to see calcified plaque (it’s white, the same color as teeth) which is why you need a dental specialist. Plaque hardens into tartar. And you can’t see plaque until it turns brown so it can be missed by your regular veterinarian. But more importantly, inflamed gums are the most common indicator of disease, not tartar. Tartar (or lack of tartar) is not an accurate indicator of dental health. Your dog can have low tartar … and yet have inflamed gums.
Monitors Breeds Prone To Dental Disease
Regular checkups are needed for breeds like greyhounds that are genetically prone to dental disease. Small breeds and brachycephalic breeds (dogs with a flat face and crowded teeth) are also prone to dental disease so regular cleanings or anesthetic-free cleanings can be a proactive measure.
If you choose to have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned, you can opt for anesthesia-free cleaning as a maintenance program. Here are a few other things you can do at home.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Options At Home
Keeping your dog’s teeth on a daily basis will minimize the need for extensive teeth cleaning. Here are a few things you can do between checkups.
Brush your dog’s teeth with probiotics. The probiotics will add beneficial bacteria to your dog’s mouth and fight bad bacteria from plaque that can lead to gum disease or periodontal disease.
Make your own dental sprays and wipes. Use MCT oil or broth and probiotics. Dip a soft cloth in both and wipe it on your dog’s teeth. Then you’ll avoid commercially made sprays and wipes that may contain chemicals and toxic ingredients you’d rather not put in your dog’s mouth.
Give your dog dental chew toys with lots of texture that can help scrape the plaque off your dog’s teeth so your dog can relax and do what he enjoys … chewing.
The closer your dog’s diet is to the diet of his wild cousins … raw meat, organs and bones … the better it will be for his teeth. Chewing, gnawing and tearing meat and meaty bones will help loosen plaque on his teeth. It’s also thought that live enzymes in raw diets help maintain oral health. Despite what the manufacturers say, kibble does not clean your dog’s teeth.
Daily brushing with a dog-friendly toothpaste and a soft brush, cloth or finger brush will reduce the buildup of plaque before it becomes tartar that can lead to more serious problems.
RELATED: Toothpaste Recipes for Dog Teeth Cleaning …
Even if you’ve been practicing some of these teeth cleaning methods with your dog at home, a regular checkup is the best way to ensure your dog has not developed any dental problems.
How Often Should Dogs Get Their Teeth Cleaned?
Adult dogs may need a professional teeth cleaning between 2 and 3 years of age or at the very least, an oral exam. This will give a good overview of their dental health. Smaller dogs and brachycephalic breeds prone to dental disease may need more frequent cleanings or anesthesia-free cleanings at least twice a year.
Some veterinarians may recommend annual teeth cleaning under anesthesia, but if you do some home care and feed a fresh, whole food raw diet, your dog’s teeth should stay healthier.
How Much Is Dog Teeth Cleaning?
As a general rule, professional dog teeth cleaning costs between $400 to $1,000. This depends on the region of the country, the size of dog and the degree of cleaning needed. Some clinics will include the cost of X-rays so you should confirm that in advance. There are additional costs if treatment is needed for periodontal disease or tooth extractions. These can add several hundred dollars to the total cost. But if you take your dog in for regular checkups, your cost should be at the low end if a cleaning is needed. Anesthesia-free cleanings can cost $100 to $300.
Dog Teeth Cleaning VancouverBeing proactive about your dog’s dental health and ensuring your dog’s teeth have regular cleanings will go a long way toward avoiding dental disease and infections.
Keeping your dog's teeth clean is important, as ignoring it can lead to plaque build-up and dental problems. Dental disease is very common in dogs, second only to ear infections, and can be extremely uncomfortable - much as it would be for us.
To avoid expensive treatment costs, check and clean your dog's teeth as part of their regular grooming routine.
Here are some tips for keeping your dog's teeth healthy.
Feed them the right food - some owners favour wet foods for their dog over dry. However, dry dog food may have the added benefit of exercising their chewing muscles and provide a mild cleaning effect on the teeth.
Every dog is unique, so there's never one diet that will suit all dogs. If you're unsure what works best for your dog, a vet or reputable pet shop will be able to give you more specific advice on the best diet.
Brush your dog's teeth regularly.
Brush your dog's teeth regularly.
Dental chews and treats are also a good way of helping to keep your dog's teeth clean.
Feeding bones is controversial - although raw, meaty bones may be a tasty treat for your dog and do help clean teeth, they can be hazardous. Bones can cause dental fractures with dogs who eat 'energetically', and can cause constipation. Cooked bones are likely to fragment and cause internal damage. Ask your vet for advice first before feeding your dog bones, and supervise them if and when they do eat them.
How to clean your dog's teeth
You should keep brushing your dog's teeth as part of a regular grooming routine.
Ask your vet first - before you start cleaning your dog's teeth, it's always best to ask your vet to show you the best way to do this. Different breeds show varying jaw alignments and how the teeth meet. Flat-faced dogs, like Pugs and Chihuahuas, have poorly aligned jaws, with crowded or absent teeth, and are therefore more likely to suffer from dental disease.
Start teeth cleaning when they're a puppy and brush their teeth everyday to get them used to it. If you haven't done this before, gradually introduce it by having your finger near their mouth. Keep doing this and then slowly introduce brushing until this is natural.
Buy a dog toothpaste - human ones aren't suitable. You can use a special dog toothbrush that goes over your finger to brush their teeth, but if you don't have one then a child-sized toothbrush is fine.
Signs your dog has dental or gum disease
Dental disease can appear quite suddenly, or progress over time and take months.
