Your dog's oral health is very important in maintaining the overall health of your dog, so what are the signs that your dog needs dental cleaning? Our Pet Doctor vets will provide information on the signs to look out for.
About Dental Cleaning In Dogs
You may be wondering what needs to be done at a dental cleaning and why they are important for your dog. Well, dental cleaning for your dog will include:
- dental examination,
- teeth cleaning,
- polishing to remove the tartar and periodontal disease-causing plaque.
This is done while your dog is under general anesthesia.
A dental cleaning performed under anesthesia can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours depending on what needs to be done that day, beginning with pre-procedure blood work and your dog's preparation. Once your dog has been anesthetized, the dental cleaning usually lasts around 30-45 minutes, but it can take up to 2 hours if extractions are needed.
Most pets go home the same day as their dental cleanings. It is important to remember that they may still be a little sleepy from the anesthetic and events of the day. Some also may be a little sore from having plaque/tartar removed or from having teeth removed.
A dental cleaning is important for a dog because tartar that makes its way below the gumline is the real problem. Tartar below the gum line causes inflammation and not only damages the structures supporting the teeth but also causes infection. If the dental disease reaches this stage, your dog can experience other dental problems and pain.
How Often Should It Be Done
Our Tucson vets suggest you come and see us for professional teeth cleanings once a year for most breeds, but a few individuals, especially smaller breeds, may need 2 visits per year due to prevent loss of teeth.
After a cleaning, your veterinarian can recommend the appropriate cleaning interval for your pet
Sign Your Dog Needs A Dental Cleaning
Make sure you’re looking in your pet’s mouth regularly for any of the following:
- Bad breath
- Broken or lose teeth
- Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
- Discolored teeth or teeth covered in tartar
- Abnormal drooling, chewing or dropping food from the mouth
- Reduced appetite or dropping food from the mouth
- Pain in or around the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Swelling in the areas around the mouth