Doggie Teeth Cleaning

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

When we got our dog, his teeth were beautifully clean. He's got some tartar build up on a couple of his teeth and his breath is still fresh, but I don't want the tartar build up to get any worse so I've scheduled a dental appointment with him at the vet. We're in a rural area so her prices are quite reasonable, but now I'm worrying over him "going under". Can anyone tell me how long the procedure actually takes? Is getting a dog's teeth cleaned periodically a common part of their care? If it is, and if it's safe, I'll continue as recommended. I've never done this before. He's 2 1/2 yrs. old. Thanks

okBlonde · ‎09-23-2013

I think as long as your pet is healthy (bloodwork done?) and your vet uses the latest, safest gas for the anesthetic, your dog will be OK. Although sometimes things go wrong. My cat Tiggi had 2 strokes in the recovery room after her last dental, even though her pre-anesthetic blood work was fine. My vet went over the monitoring tapes during the procedure and couldn't find where anything went wrong. I will never put her under again, but if either of my other 2 cats need dentals, I will have them done. I think Tiggi's took about 30-45 minutes but she had xrays, etc.

She had to spend 3 days at the ER vet and she went blind for awhile. I thought I was going to lose her, but she eventually recovered about 95%.

deb5555 · ‎03-21-2010

It is safe and periodontal disease is common in dogs if you don't get them cleaned. It takes about a 1/2 hour but they keep and eye on them all day to monitor them due to being put under.

We had our lab get his teeth cleaned, he went in prior for blood work, then they have to fast the morning of the dental cleaning. He now goes every other year for a cleaning.

He had a broken tooth in the back of his mouth which we were unaware of, the vet called to see if I wanted a root canal done, I said no, just pull it, good thing it was broke in 3 places. He was dropped off at 8am and we picked him up after 4 pm when they called to let us know we could come and get him. He was given pain meds for the tooth extraction and sleep the rest of the day. Then we gave him soft food for a few days.

Now we use those toothettes we get from walgreens to brush his teeth daily, with the chicken flavored toothpaste from the vet made specifically for dogs teeth. I use a soft brush on the back teeth, they get more tarter buildup than the front or side teeth.

doxie1 · ‎03-09-2010

I can understand your concerns about the anesthesia. Like with people any time we are put under there are risks. Your vet wants to be successful so they are not going to suggest it on an animal they do not feel like it is needed. I had to have it done on my previous dog at 9 years of age and it had me nervous. It did not take long ( maybe 25- 30 minutes) and I was glad I did it. It helped her heart health a lot.

You ask if it is common. Some breeds and dogs are more likely to get tartar buildup and that is what has to be dealt with because it can damage the heart. It is common in that a lot of dogs seem to have a dental cleaning or two but some do not need as much as others. Your vet will be able to guide you more with your specific dog.

After my elder dog had it I said to the vet that I did not want to have to do this again if there was any way possible. So we planned and my vet gave me some lessons.

I am scared I will lose this so I will post more.

doxie

doxie1 · ‎03-09-2010

1. Brush your dog's teeth daily. The vet had to adjust me on this because I was full of excuses like they won't let me and they eat the brush. Everyday before they eat they get their teeth brushed and are eager for it. It is hard to believe they are the same dogs. I do not use a brush. The point is to massage the gums and get the toothpaste on the teeth so I use gauze wrapped around my finger. I had to admit my vet was right…. THe dogs greet me with their lips curled up for their teeth to get brushed because they know that food is coming next.

The other cool thing about this is that when we go to the vet the dogs will let the vet go in their mouth and mess with their teeth. My older dog did not have to have another dental. She had some plaque another time and they were able to snip it off since she held her lips open.

2. Use some on the dental chews like greenies and CET chews that I get from the vet. The CET chews have some of the toothpaste on them and the dogs love them. I was nervous about the greenies after the issues they had with dogs choking. My vet told me they have reformulated them to break down.

3. They also had a mouthwash that I used with the elder dog but not the younger ones.

If you do these things you can make it be a longer time between cleanings or maybe it will not be needed again.

doxie

D Oro · ‎02-18-2011

On 6/18/2014 Doxie said:
1. Brush your dog's teeth daily. The vet had to adjust me on this because I was full of excuses like they won't let me and they eat the brush. Everyday before they eat they get their teeth brushed and are eager for it. It is hard to believe they are the same dogs. I do not use a brush. The point is to massage the gums and get the toothpaste on the teeth so I use gauze wrapped around my finger. I had to admit my vet was right…. THe dogs greet me with their lips curled up for their teeth to get brushed because they know that food is coming next.

The other cool thing about this is that when we go to the vet the dogs will let the vet go in their mouth and mess with their teeth. My older dog did not have to have another dental. She had some plaque another time and they were able to snip it off since she held her lips open.

2. Use some on the dental chews like greenies and CET chews that I get from the vet. The CET chews have some of the toothpaste on them and the dogs love them. I was nervous about the greenies after the issues they had with dogs choking. My vet told me they have reformulated them to break down.

3. They also had a mouthwash that I used with the elder dog but not the younger ones.

If you do these things you can make it be a longer time between cleanings or maybe it will not be needed again.

doxie

I think that what you did is so cool! The fact that they look forward to getting their teeth brushed is amazing. Good job!

D Oro · ‎02-18-2011

Luckily I don't have to do that with my Maltese. His teeth are perfectly white, no tartar or plaque, and he's never had to be cleaned by the vet. It may be because his favorite treat is raw baby carrots. But he has no bad breath ever. So I know that I'm lucky in that too.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

Our vet has told us that animals are like people in that some have terrible plaque issues and others don't.

We have had our dog's teeth cleaned several times. Each time, there is blood work done in advance (I believe they are checking kidney and liver functions, but I'm not certain of that part)

For our dog, they keep him all day, do the cleaning early in the morning, and we pick him up early evening.

Our dog has had some odd reactions to the anesthetic. When we bring him home, he wants to go out every 15 minutes (even though there is nothing coming out every time), is restless, and just not himself. The last time, I was up with him all night.

He needs to have it done again (I try to do it every two years) and he is getting older (he could be about 11, but rescue dog, so not sure) and I worry that something might go wrong.

I try to brush his teeth on a regular basis, but he has anxiety issues, and I don't push it on days he is anxious, like when there is storms.

There are dangers any time a person or a pet is put under anesthetic, and things can go wrong, but I feel that if you start young and keep up with a pet's teeth, it will save them pain and health issues later.

glmama · ‎03-09-2010

JLF-I'm interested in your replies here, too. My vet has recently said that my dogs teeth have loads of tartar, too. Lots of buildup in the back. He recommended those dental bones to help in the meantime, but also mentioned teeth cleaning. Right now we're giving him one bone/day. Hoping that helps a bit. Apparently, extra buildup can have a lot to do with how quickly they eat their food.

doxie1 · ‎03-09-2010

glmama, I think the bones may help a little at keeping the tartar from getting worse but if you already have a tartar buildup you may have to use something with the enzyme action like the CET toothpaste or the CET chews. My little darlings do eat quickly so that may explain their tartar tendencies. You could use the toothpaste twice a day and probably see more results. I have seen it loosen the tartar enough that the vet can remove it without surgery. I had to learn that the trick was not that you are brushing their teeth like people do It is really just massaging and applying it to the teeth. It remains in the saliva and continues to work. The first few times there was a learning curve for me but it has become automatic. I can say,"want to brush your teeth" and they curl their lips up. Also you do not have to pry their mouth open. You insert your gauze covered finger with the toothpaste between their cheek and teeth and massage. They get to the point where they like it. Granted that I can not leave the toothpaste out or they will destroy it and redecorate the house. ${#emotions_dlg.devil2}$ I would use those bones as well. My mindset is that I want to do whatever to delay it as long as possible.