Many people do not realize the importance of caring for their dog’s teeth. As dogs age, the need for dental care increases. The best way to ensure your dog’s good dental health is to start brushing his teeth daily from a very young age.

Even with proper preventive measures, most dogs will eventually need a professional teeth cleaning from your veterinarian. Without this, your dog could develop dental disease. Harmful bacteria from the mouth can pass through into the bloodstream and cause potentially serious problems such as kidney infections and heart valve infections involving the heart valves.

A teeth cleaning performed by your veterinarian is much like the one you get from your own dentist. However, your dog will need to be sedated for the procedure. The anesthesia is light and very safe. Many veterinarians have anesthesia monitoring systems just like those used in human medicine.

First, a thorough exam will be performed to determine if any teeth need to be pulled or repaired. Some veterinarians will do x-rays of the teeth to find any cracks or diseased teeth.

After this, a trained technician will perform the dental cleaning. First, they will scale the teeth to remove the tartar above and below the gum line. This will be done with hand instruments and ultrasonic scaling equipment. After this, the teeth will be polished, which will make them smooth and help prevent plaque from adhering to them. Most veterinarians will also do a fluoride treatment. This is to help strengthen the enamel and prevent plaque from forming.

If any teeth are diseased or broken, your veterinarian may pull them. Some veterinarians who specialize in dental care will perform root canals and other intensive dental work. Most veterinarians will put your dog on a treatment of antibiotics to help prevent bacterial infection.

It is very important to take good care of your dog’s teeth to keep them healthy and to prevent infections. Always follow your veterinarian’s advice and if you have questions, consult your veterinary staff or pet professional.


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