How would I know if my dog needs a cleaning? Furthermore, I understand that the dog must be anesthesized for the procedure. Is my understanding correct? I'm a little apprehensive about anesthetic. Even in humans bad things sometimes happen. Is the risk (I know it's very minimal) worth the reward? Thanks in advance for your input.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. It's not worth the anesthetic risk. Additionally, the procedure itself is rough on the teeth. In addition to removing plaque, the high frequency vibrating stainless steel head makes miniscule chips in the tooth enamel, which can cause more problems (over time) than a little plaque. You're better off with Nylabones or just brushing the dogs teeth every once in while. If your dog is young, teaching them to accept an occasional, quick brushing is not all that hard.

Dental issues are one of those very important things that most owners completely overlook. Just as with humans, a dog's teeth can be a good indicator of overall health, and poor, or no, dental care can lead to serious problems later. You can use "Greenies" or a canine toothbrush to remove tartar, etc. but...just as with humans...plaque must be scaled off manually, requiring the same procedures we all love so much at our friendly dentist.

Work dogs with dental problems may bite, but not stay on once the decoy or bad guy is engaged, and/or experience problems with tracks and searches (the nose and mouth are very interconnected). Other health problems can also be caused and/or aggravated by poor or nonexistant dental care. (Do some web searches on dental and related problems in humans...that should get your attention!) So yes, cleaning and care is very important, however, many vets use cleaning as a means of increasing revenues and are not really knowledgable about tooth/gum problems.

A cleaning will at least allow a thorough exam of the mouth, teeth and gums so that any obvious problem should be identified by even the least experienced vet tech. The dog is anesthesized simply because very few dogs will allow such a thorough exam and/or would "spazz out" from the noise and feel of the Cavitron used by most vets and dentists. I like to have my dogs' teeth cleaned once per year, and while I'm not thrilled about the anesthesia, I feel the trade off is worth it.

Mike,

At what age do you usually start annual cleaning? Obviously we don't agree 100% on the subject, but I'm interested in learning more.

I couldn't agree more with Mike. Cleaning the teeth of any animal is critical to overall health care. Rotten, nasty teeth can lead to gum disease and bacterial buildup, which will, in turn travel throughout the body and cause major organ problems. It is true that some dogs accumulate decay/plack (sp??? brainfart) much faster than other dogs. Some of this is due to dietary intake, but a large part of it is genetic. Two dogs, same diet, different accumulations. Some dogs may never need a full cleaning w/ anesthesia, but some need it yearly. And, like Mike said, what dog would want ot take a full grip with rotten teeth, as that is sure to cause discomfort.

anyway, if your dog has buildup, get the teeth cleaned. For those of you with cats, and care about them, this is especially critical. The bacteria in a cats mouth is extraordinarily potent and will really destroy the organs if left unchecked. That is why a cat bite is one of the nastiest, most infection ridden bites one can receive.

The anesthesia that vets use (most use isoflourine)is very mild and the recovery time is rapid and usually without complications. It is a trade off, but as Mike pointed out, one that is well worth it.

Originally posted by John Haudenshield:
Personally, I wouldn't do it. It's not worth the anesthetic risk. Additionally, the procedure itself is rough on the teeth. In addition to removing plaque, the high frequency vibrating stainless steel head makes miniscule chips in the tooth enamel, which can cause more problems (over time) than a little plaque. You're better off with Nylabones or just brushing the dogs teeth every once in while. If your dog is young, teaching them to accept an occasional, quick brushing is not all that hard. Sorry John, I think this is flat out wrong advice to give.

Last September my dog broke an incisor. It had to be removed and so I agreed to have his teeth cleaned while he was already under the anesthetic. I figured it was a good idea to kill two birds with one stone as he was 9 and they could do a thorough check-up. They ended up removing one pre-moler that was cracked (I didn't see it).
I do brush my dog's teeth and de-scale them every month using a dental scaler. I think most dogs would get used to the brushing but the de-scaling part I'm not sure. My breeder de-scales all her dogs and they had great teeth.
I think most dogs should have a thorough dental checkup at least once in their life, but I'm not sure about once a year.
Since I've been giving my dog raw knuckle bones once every 1 or 2 weeks and raw chicken wings a lot of the plaque is removed by the diet. However, I still check on the tarter buildup and when necessary I still de-scale.
Starting early with a young pup is very important and dental checks should become part of a weekly grooming session.

John;

I usually begin tooth cleaning at around 1yr. because that is normally when I have a first x-ray performed and the vet can do all with a single "put down". I just got in the habit of once a year when running 6-7 dogs in the Canine Unit...easier to keep track of. I'm sure some dogs could do fine at greater intervals. The very first thing I do with any new dog...pup or adult...is to have a full CBC (blood panel), vaccinations, etc. done, so I have a known base line from which to begin. Any suspicion of something wrong, or any pup around 1yr. or over, gets full hip and elbow x-rays and a tooth cleaning. I also do a CBC every year or so on each. Prevention beats the cure every time!

Like Joe says, some dogs are more prone to build up than others, but all need to be checked regularly. And "cat people" better absolutely believe what Joe says about cats! If you or your dog tangle with a cat, run...don't walk...to the vet or ER and get treatment NOW. Don't put it off even until morning if there is any way possible. Yeah, I too grew up in a place and time where neighborhood strays chopped cats and apparently never suffered, but the key word here is "apparently".

Just curious, but why do you need to go the anesthesia route? Why wouldn't a mild sedative serve as well?

 Quote:

Originally posted by Lee Baragona - Sch3FH2:
Just curious, but why do you need to go the anesthesia route? Why wouldn't a mild sedative serve as well?

I'm certainly no vet, but my understanding of the iso gas is that it is the "lightest" form of anesthesia used. Almost one level away from the twilight stuff that our dentists use. Being a former vet tech, I can tell you that I certainly would not want to do dentals on other folk's dogs without the gas, especially working dogs. I would be VERY uncomfortable with a twilighted working dog, conscious enough to perceive threats and every maybe percieve normal things as threats, that absent the twilight, would go unnoticed. When working in a dog's mouth, I, personally, insist on the dog being out. As I said, the iso gas is very mild. Yes, the dog does go out and there is a mild risk, but they go out real fast and recover just as fast usually without side effects. In the four years I was a tech, I can't possibly count the # of animals that we put out with iso, and truthfully, I cannot remember one negative incident. Of course, there were some animals that never recovered fromt he anesthesia and died, but that was all related to the surgeries and sicknesses and the stress of the operations.

I'm very health conscious and protective over my animals. But, I would never think twice about putting them out for dentals when needed. To me, its that important.