Anesthesia-Free Dog Teeth Cleaning
If you want to upset your veterinarian, tell her that you scale your dog’s teeth. As you watch smoke pour out of her ears, she’ll nonchalantly explain that scaling your dog’s teeth can make problems worse. Well, your vet has a point.
Anesthesia-free dog teeth cleaning is highly controversial within the veterinary world, so take a moment to understand that scaling your dog’s teeth is not an easy task. And your vet is right; your dog’s teeth will collect tartar quicker with anesthesia-free dental cleaning than a veterinary dental.
Why Most Vets Hate Anesthesia-Free Teeth Cleaning
Veterinarians see the aftermath. Dogs with torn gums, chipped or broken teeth, and tongue lacerations are common casualties of anesthesia-free dog dentals done either by a pet owner or as a service from a pet company. Yup, this all can happen within seconds of using sharp metal dental tools with little to no experience scaling dog teeth. Worse yet, pet owners don’t notice injuries until the pain is so unbearable their dog or cat refuses to eat.
It’s important to point out that dog dentals include much more than just removing plaque buildup on teeth. Some dogs have periodontal disease or need root canals or tooth extractions. Dogs break teeth. It’s actually very common regardless of age, and only veterinarians are able to detect and perform oral surgeries, which should always be completed under anesthesia. Plus, scaling dog teeth without polishing them creates a plaque magnet because plaque will build up quicker on uneven surfaces.
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But There’s Hope
For pet owners worried about putting their elderly or chronically ill dogs under anesthesia, it seems anesthesia-free procedures are gaining some ground within the veterinary world. Due to consumer demand, some veterinarians are now offering this service. The hard part now is getting your dog to comfortably allow his teeth to be cleaned.
Most dogs dislike the feeling or sound of metal scratching along their gum lines; some won’t tolerate it. Scaling a moving dog’s teeth is impossible and hence all the injuries from DIY dog teeth cleaning. Some dogs will patiently tolerate someone scraping and polishing their teeth, but this is the expectation—not the rule, unfortunately.
To determine if your dog is a good candidate for an anesthesia-free dog dental, allow your veterinarian to make that decision. Your vet will likely consider your dog’s personality and dental care needs before making that decision, so a good vet checkup is always needed beforehand.
What You Can Do at Home
Dog dentals are expensive. They can range between $100-$300, depending on where you live and the size of your dog. Once your veterinarian has thoroughly cleaned your dog’s teeth during a dental exam, keep plaque away with daily brushings and ensure your dog chews on toys and chewies that won’t harm his teeth or gums.
