Your dogs teeth are one of the biggest problem areas because so many pet owners neglect their pets dental hygiene until it’s too late and an x-ray shows a dozen or more teeth need to be pulled. Avoid unnecessary pain and suffering (and financial woe!) and make it a point to have your dogs teeth professionally cleaned once a year with a “teeth scaling” procedure at Dr Pet Md. We offer anesthesia, medication and oral surgeries if need be, we do it all in our emergency walk-in clinics.
When rough tartar accumulates on tooth surfaces and touches the gum line it is time for a professional oral assessment, treatment, and prevention visit. Dr Pet Md provides many dental services for your new or old pet.
What’s involved with a dental exam?
A dental exam to confirm that a dental cleaning is needed is the first step. We will review with you what procedures are likely required prior to the dental cleaning. Your veterinarian may perform preanesthetic blood tests to ensure that kidney and liver function are satisfactory for anesthesia (see handout “Preanesthetic Bloodwork” for more information), as well as an evaluation of the heart and abdomen if needed. Anesthesia is important to allow a tooth-by-tooth examination including dental X-rays.
What happens during a professional dental cleaning visit for my dog?
A dental cleaning visit will include a thorough dental examination, teeth cleaning, and polishing to remove the tartar and periodontal disease-causing plaque. This is done while your dog is under general anesthesia. Once anesthetized, your veterinarian with the help of veterinary assistants will thoroughly examine the mouth, noting abnormalities in the medical record. A dental probe will be used to evaluate gum bleeding and periodontal pockets where food can accumulate and decay if not properly cared for.
When periodontal disease is advanced, it may not be possible to save the badly affected teeth, which may need to be extracted either during the procedure or at a later time.
“For proper dental care your dog will be placed under general anesthesia.”
The treatment your dog may require will be discussed with you after the cleaning once each tooth and the gums have been checked. Since it can be difficult to predict the extent of dental disease in advance of the procedure, your veterinarian may contact you during the procedure to discuss any additional treatment that may be necessary.
How are my dog’s teeth cleaned?
After a thorough examination of your dog’s mouth, tooth scaling will be performed, using both hand and ultrasonic scalers to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. The tartar below the gum line causes the most significant periodontal disease, so it is important that it be thoroughly removed.
After scaling, the teeth are polished to remove microscopic scratches and decrease the rate of subsequent plaque build-up.
Why can’t plaque and tartar be removed with a human dental scaler?
Although you can remove some of the accumulated plaque and tartar above the gum line in dogs that are cooperative, there are four problems with doing this:
- Only the visible tartar above the gum line is removed. This leaves the plaque and tartar below the gum line which will continue to cause periodontal problems.
- It is neither possible nor safe to clean the inner surfaces of the teeth properly in a conscious dog.
- The use of any instrument on the tooth enamel will cause microscopic scratches on the surface which will ultimately damage the tooth surface, leading to further disease – this is the reason your dental hygienist always polishes your teeth after removing tartar with dental instruments.
- If your dog moves suddenly the sharp instrument may cut the gums causing pain and bleeding.
Do I have to make an appointment for my dog to have a dental scaling and polishing?
Yes. Dr Pet Md will perform preanesthetic tests and examine for underlying disorders prior to the procedure.
How can I prevent tartar accumulation after the procedure?
Plaque forms in as little as six hours after your dog’s dental cleaning. A home dental care program including regular tooth brushing is a must. Your veterinarian will provide you with detailed instructions on how to brush or rinse your dog’s teeth. See handout “Plaque and Tartar Prevention in Dogs” for further information.
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) only accepts dental products that are safe and proven to reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar based on strict scientific studies. A list of accepted products can be viewed at www.VOHC.org and Dr Pet MD can advise you as well. Here’s a post from the Veterinary Dentistry Training we saw that explains just how serious teeth scaling is and what has to be done to keep your dog pain-free and healthy.
Can I use human toothpaste?
Absolutely not. Human dentifrice or toothpaste should never be used in dogs. Human teeth cleaning detergents contain ingredients that are not intended to be swallowed and can cause internal problems if they are swallowed. Human products also commonly contain higher levels of salt which can be a problem for some dogs.
You should also avoid using baking soda to clean your dog’s teeth. Baking soda has a high alkaline content and, if swallowed, it can upset the acid balance in the stomach and digestive tract.
Why is pet toothpaste recommended?
Pet toothpastes are non-foaming, safe to be swallowed, and are available in flavors that are appealing to dogs including poultry, beef, malt and mint. If you use a product that tastes good, your dog will be more likely to enjoy the whole experience.
In addition to the pleasant taste, many of these toothpastes contain enzymes that are designed to help break down plaque chemically, which reduces the time you need to actually spend brushing your dog’s teeth.
You can always stop in with your pet anytime or call us if you have any additional questions about teeth scaling or any questions at all. Dr Pet MD is here to help!
