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.
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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.
Being 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.
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.
Dog Teeth Cleaning VancouverHow 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.
Dental disease can appear quite suddenly, or progress over time and take months.
dog dental treatment © RSPCAIf you find your dog has dental disease, only carry out treatment under the direction of your vet. Your dog will most likely need sedation or a general anaesthetic to properly examine their mouth. X-rays might also be taken to reveal any abnormalities of the tooth or bone.
If the affected teeth aren't too bad, they would be scaled and polished to remove mineral deposits. With more severe cases, such as fractured or loose teeth, they may need to be removed.
Your dog will likely need anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics after surgery. You'll then need ongoing commitment to regular dental care to prevent the disease from coming back.
Periodontal disease and tooth decay are as problematic for dogs as they are for people, and just as painful. That's why caring for your dog's teeth is an important element of caring for your dog's overall health. Today, our Windsor vets share some tips on how to prepare your dog for a dental cleaning.
Why Teeth Cleaning is Important For Dogs
Your dog's oral health, like yours, is an important component of their overall well-being. By the age of three years, dogs frequently show signs of periodontal disease (gum disease). This early onset of dental disease can have serious long-term consequences for their health.
Periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease in humans, and this appears to be true for our canine companions as well.
The link between heart disease and periodontal disease in dogs is caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream from the mouth, causing heart function to suffer and other organs to malfunction. These health concerns are in addition to the more visible issue of pain caused by eroded gums and missing or damaged teeth.
At-home oral health care routines combined with dental treats can help your dog keep their teeth clean and control plaque and tartar buildup. However, the best way to keep your dog's mouth clean and healthy is to take him to the vet for an annual dental exam and hygiene cleaning.