It’s a shorter procedure that can be done on pets with anxiety
An alternative for dogs with low blood pressure, low heart rate or low blood oxygen
An alternative for dogs with poor kidney or liver function or heart issues
Can be done on dogs with a history of seizures
An option for healthy pets with a small amount of tartar
About ⅓ the cost of dog teeth cleanings with anesthesia
A good option between cleanings done onder anesthesia
Not all dogs are able to have anesthesia-free teeth cleaning. Dogs have to accept being wrapped to secure them. And there are natural calming herbal remedies or Bach flower essences that can help. A technician needs to have a gentle technique to work with skittish or nervous animals.
But if your dog is aggressive, too nervous or has severe periodontal disease, anesthesia-free cleaning may not be a good idea. If your dog has dental issues, you should be referred to a veterinary dental specialist for the care and services they can provide.
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Concerns About Anesthesia-Free Teeth Cleaning
There is concern within the veterinary community that this type of cleaning isn’t effective. Here are some concerns:
Many veterinarians don’t recommend anesthesia-free teeth cleaning. They say that without anesthesia, you can’t get far enough below the gum line, and without x-rays you can’t always identify any deeper problems. Ideally, choose a clinic that operates in close consultation with a veterinary clinic. Then if X-rays or other services are needed, the support is there when needed.
Here’s how professional teeth cleaning differs and why it can be an option for your dog.
2. Professional Teeth Cleaning For Dogs
Most dog owners are reluctant to have teeth cleaning done under anesthesia … but for some dogs whose teeth require deeper care, professional teeth cleaning may be necessary.
Brushing your dog’s teeth is part of good oral hygiene and dental health … but it can’t provide the deep cleaning below the gum line that’s sometimes needed. A professional dental cleaning, under general anesthesia, enables a veterinary dental specialist to do a deep, 360 degree clean of every tooth and clean below the gum line. That removes plaque and tartar and the bacteria that produce toxins, proteins and free radicals. They can damage gums and lead to gingivitis, which leads to deeper dental disease and ultimately disease throughout the body.
Teeth cleaning also enables your dog’s dentist to take X-rays and evaluate the health of the jawline and tooth roots. She can also safely fill or extract teeth as needed.
If your dog does need a professional teeth cleaning, you can maintain your dog’s teeth with anesthesia-free dental cleanings after that. At that time, the technician can advise you if a more intensive cleaning or dental care is needed beyond their scope.
Dog Teeth Cleaning VancouverThe Importance of a Veterinary Dental Specialist
A veterinarian with a dental specialty, DAVDC (Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College), should perform your dog’s oral exams and teeth cleaning. Your medical doctor wouldn’t perform your dental work … and the roles of veterinarians and veterinary dental specialists are not interchangeable either. She has the training to look for specific issues and specializes in your dog’s dental health.
RELATED: Natural Dental Care and Dog Teeth Cleaning …
The Importance of Professional Dog Teeth Cleaning
Just like a physical checkup, dog teeth cleaning can be an option to help improve your dog’s overall health. Here’s how.
With regular visits, your veterinary dentist will be able to note any loose teeth, tartar buildup, or bad breath that could be warning signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease. That can result in bone loss within the jaw bone that can lead to loosened teeth and other problems. When poor oral health goes unchecked, toxins and bacteria can lead to infection and become a source of chronic inflammation.
As much as 60% of dental disease is involved below the gum line. This includes periodontal disease, which is considered the #1 disease in dogs. It affects 80% of dogs by 3 years of age. Dog teeth cleaning can detect periodontal disease that is linked to heart and kidney disease, arthritis, cancer and early mortality … a result of chronic inflammation caused by bacteria. Professional teeth cleaning will remove plaque, minimize bacteria and provide regular monitoring of your dog’s dental health.
As much as 60% of dental disease is involved below the gum line. This includes periodontal disease, which is considered the #1 disease in dogs. It affects 80% of dogs by 3 years of age. Dog teeth cleaning can detect periodontal disease that is linked to heart and kidney disease, arthritis, cancer and early mortality … a result of chronic inflammation caused by bacteria. Professional teeth cleaning will remove plaque, minimize bacteria and provide regular monitoring of your dog’s dental health.
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.
You can buy enzymatic dog toothpaste and a brush or rubber thimble from your vet/pet shop. Enzymatic toothpaste helps break down plaque and reduces bad breath. They also come in enticing flavours like chicken or liver.
Never use human toothpaste as it can be toxic for dogs.
Do you need to brush your dog's teeth?
It’s important to look after your dog's teeth. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems experienced by dogs and can result in significant pain from sore teeth and gums.
Daily teeth brushing can help prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar which can lead to gingivitis and dental disease.
Possible signs of dental problems
It can sometimes be difficult to recognise if a dog is in pain because of dental disease — they will often continue to eat which can mask the severity of the problem. But there are a few signs to look for that could indicate that your dog has dental problems.
red or swollen gums (gingivitis- A thin red line along the gum will indicate inflammation of the gums)
discolouration of the teeth (plaque- this is a sticky, colourless film of sugars and bacteria that builds up on the teeth)
Plaque can then lead to (tartar- a hard calcified deposit that will build up and cause dental disease)
fractured or missing teeth.
Your vet will check your dog's teeth on a regular basis but if your dog shows any of these signs, seek veterinary advice. Many vet practices offer free dental clinics with their vet nurses or free nurse checks with pet care plans.
Illustration of how to teach a dog to rest their chin on your hand.
Illustration of owner giving dog treat, close up.
To get started, you'll need to teach your dog how to rest their chin on your hand.
Hold your open hand flat with your palm up in front of your dog’s snout slightly below chin level.
In your other hand, hold a treat in front of your dog just below their nose. As your dog reaches for the treat, slowly lower your hand holding the treat towards your open palm. As your dog places their chin across your open palm, mark that they got the behaviour right by saying 'yes' or 'good' and reward them.
Repeat this a few times and once your dog is getting it right, start to fade out the treat by repeating the steps with the same motion but with no treat in your hand.
Reward them with a treat when they place their chin onto your palm. Once you have practiced this, start to fade out the moving hand by moving it less and less until you are able to present just your palm and your dog will place their chin across it.
Dog Teeth Cleaning VancouverReward your dog every time they get it right. Once they’ve got the hang of it you can add a verbal cue like ‘chin’, wait for a second, then present your palm for your dog to place their chin on. You can also start to increase the duration over sessions by waiting a second before marking and rewarding your dog.
It's important to understand your dog's body language so you can tell when they're feeling uncomfortable or apprehensive. Once they have mastered this you can get them used to having their mouth and teeth touched and cleaned.
Illustration of how to massage dog's mouth.
Illustration of hand cupping down on dogs snout.
Illustration of dog licking toothpaste off owners finger.
Illustration of dog licking off toothpaste off rubber thimble brush.
Illustration of owner brushing dogs teeth with rubber thimble and toothpaste.
Illustration of owner brushing dogs teeth with rubber thimble and toothpaste.
Illustration of owner rubbing toothpaste on dogs teeth in a circular and left and right motion.
Help support your dog's head by asking them to rest their chin on your hand, then gently touch the outside of your dog's lips. Remove your hand and give your dog a treat straight away.
Repeat this process, briefly touching both the upper and lower jaw. Gradually start to build up the length of time you do this for.
Progress to touching inside their mouth
Providing your dog is comfortable with this, you can progress to touching inside their mouth. With your hand in the same position as before, gently slide a finger inside your dog's upper lips and over the gums. Remove your hand and give them a treat and praise straight away.
Then repeat with the lower jaw's lips and gums and reward your dog straight away. It's important to keep practising and take it slowly – your dog might only be comfortable being touched for a very brief moment to begin with, and that’s fine.
Keep practising and build up the time you spend massaging their gums, over multiple, short sessions.
Touch their snout
Next work on getting your dog comfortable with your hand resting gently on top of their snout. Gently place your hand over their snout and give them a reward. Repeat this and providing they’re relaxed, you can start to add in touching and lifting their lips briefly.
