Dental care for your dog is just as crucial as it is for you. Regular teeth cleanings are one of the best ways to guarantee your dog has excellent dental health and no unnoticed painful issues. Periodontal disease is extremely prevalent in dogs and can affect up to one in three of them before they turn three years old. This condition may spread from your dog’s gums into his bloodstream, where it may then spread to various body parts, including major organs. abnormal changes in the liver, kidney, and heart can result from dental disease. But all of these problems can be avoided with routine dental care!
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Have you ever been told that dogs don’t need dental care because they naturally keep their teeth clean by chewing? Unfortunately, this is not entirely true for our canine companions. Dogs’ dental health is just as important as people’s. Luckily, keeping your pup’s teeth clean is surprisingly simple.
What You Should Know About Canine Dental Care
Your veterinarian insists that your dog needs a dental cleaning because it takes care of much more than just the problem of a dog’s bad breath. Numerous medical issues can arise as a result of poor dental hygiene. Gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth loss, infection, and difficulty chewing are a few of the more prevalent problems.
Canine teeth develop plaque just like human teeth do. Plaque accumulation over time can result in gingivitis, which is gum inflammation. Dogs with gingivitis may have easily bleeding, red, inflamed gums, and you may also notice bad breath in them. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.
Damage to the bone and the connective tissues around the tooth can result from periodontitis. The negative effects periodontitis can have on your dog’s heart, kidneys, and liver are most concerning, though.
On the Day of the Procedure
To check for broken teeth, abscesses, periodontal disease, and other problems, the veterinarian will take X-rays. The vet can get ready for the procedure once they are fully aware of your dog’s mouth. They insert an IV line into your dog’s leg so that he can receive fluid support. The pre-procedure sedative necessary to intubate your dog is also carried in the IV. General anesthesia is inhaled through the endotracheal tube along with oxygen once the patient is intubated, and the procedure starts.
Your veterinarian will remove plaque and tartar from the teeth by scaling them, followed by tooth polishing (which is the main reason the cleaning must be done under anesthesia). They will also extract teeth that cannot be saved. There is a team of veterinarians and/or technicians in the room with your dog as your veterinarian works to monitor vital signs, help with tools, and adjust anesthesia as necessary to ensure your dog is pain-free, stays anesthetized, and his organs continue to function as they should.
If no extractions were required, your dog will recover from the anesthetic at the hospital and be perfectly fine to be discharged in a few hours. Your dog will be given painkillers and antibiotics upon discharge if extractions were necessary.
Your dog might whine or cry because anesthesia side effects include disorientation and discomfort. He might cough because the intubation tube can irritate his throat. Additionally, they will be drained completely, thirsty, and perhaps a little constipated. The veterinarian should address any additional specific issues during the post-procedure debrief and/or paperwork.
FAQ
What happens if you don’t clean your dog’s teeth?
Without this yearly cleaning, plaque develops on the teeth. Bad breath, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and – in severe cases – tooth loss can result from this.
How long can a dog go without teeth cleaning?
The majority of veterinary dentists advise professional teeth cleanings once a year for the majority of breeds, but some animals, particularly smaller breeds, might require two visits annually to prevent tooth loss. Your veterinarian can suggest the ideal cleaning cycle for your pet following a cleaning.
Should I take my dog to the vet for teeth cleaning?
The best way to make sure your dog’s mouth stays healthy and clean is to visit the vet regularly for a professional cleaning. While maintaining an at-home oral care routine (and possibly supplementing it with dental chews or treats) is important in that it helps keep plaque and tartar buildup in check, this method is not the only one.
What percentage of dog owners get their teeth cleaned?
But pet owners are frugal when it comes to dental care. 15 percent of the estimated 117 million dogs and cats in the U.S., according to veterinarians S. receive routine dental care from their owners.