Does my dog really need to have dental work?
Dogs need to have their teeth cleaned regularly by a veterinarian.
Many of us are reluctant to have our dogs’ teeth cleaned.
You may have wondered, “why does my dog need to have his teeth cleaned? Is it that important? And why does it have to be done under anesthesia?”
The short answer is, yes- dental cleanings for dogs is very important. The reasons are similar to why we humans need to stay on top of our dental practices. Firstly, although your dog may not show it, his teeth can be the source of major pain when not taken care of properly.
In addition, teeth cleanings help prevent build up of plaque. Plaque is like cement full of bacteria. If we allow plaque to build up, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, and can cause damage to the heart, the kidneys and other parts of the body.
Why should my dog be under anesthesia for a teeth cleaning though?
It can be scary to think about our dog to be put under anesthesia to have his teeth cleaned. In most cases though, the risks of going under anesthesia are lower than the risks of not getting your dog’s teeth cleaned. Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM explains that, “It is simply not possible to safely and thoroughly clean all of a dog’s teeth (including under the gum line) without anesthesia. Dog teeth cleaning risks increase if anesthesia is skipped.”
Obviously every situation is different, so you should definitely have your vet do a full exam with lab work before doing any procedure. You should also ask your veterinarian if your dog is healthy enough to have anesthesia. Many vets will suggest having an EKG, also known as an electrocardiogram, done right before the dental procedure. This is a good way to check on the condition of your dog’s heart before using anesthesia. If the EKG shows any abnormalities, the doctor might advise you to hold off on your dog’s dental procedure.
Some vets do offer “Anesthesia-Free Teeth cleaning for Dogs.” It’s important to note though- these are not a substitute for dental cleaning with anesthesia. I have used the anesthesia-free method for my toy poodle, Lucille, before she passed on. I had adopted her as a senior, and by that time, the vet wasn’t certain that she could survive being put under anesthesia. Lucille was a calm dog, so the vet was able to get some results while she was awake. In that situation, the anesthesia-free cleaning was the only option. I had decided that was better than not doing any kind of cleaning.
After you’ve had your pup’s teeth cleaned, it’s a great idea to maintain his clean teeth by “Brushing” them at home. There are various kits that your vet can recommend. Here are some tips that I found useful: How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth.