How To Prepare Your Dog For Teeth Cleaning
1. Visit Your Vet for a Physical
Your dog will be examined by a veterinarian to ensure that she is healthy enough for the procedure. The doctor will examine her heart for murmurs or other abnormalities. If your dog has any cardiac concerns, the veterinarian may recommend chest radiographs or a cardiology consult. The veterinarian will also look for signs of anemia on the mucous membranes.
2. Get Bloodwork Done
Drawing blood from your dog to check her liver and kidney functions is the safest way to determine if she is fit to be sedated. Blood tests are especially important in older dogs because they can detect early kidney or liver disease. A dog who is experiencing these symptoms should not be put under anesthesia.
3. Start Antibiotics
Dogs with severe dental infections or gingivitis are frequently given antibiotics a few days before the procedure to prevent complications and to try to clear the infection.
4. Fast The Night Before
If your dog is having a dental cleaning, you should keep food and water away from them for about 12 hours before the procedure. The fast is necessary to prevent your dog from vomiting while under sedation, which can lead to serious complications. Fast your dog the night before the dental procedure, or get specific instructions from your veterinarian.
There are lots of ways to help keep your dog's teeth clean and healthy. You can get specially formulated dry foods, additives for their water and chew toys that can help clean teeth if used frequently. But often the best way to keep your dog’s teeth clean is by brushing.
The basics
When should you start brushing your dog's teeth?
It's a good idea to introduce your dog to having their teeth brushed when they’re a puppy. For dogs of any age, toothbrushing needs to be introduced in a gradual and positive way
Ideally, brush your dog's teeth daily
If your dog pulls away or is uncomfortable at any point, stop what you’re doing and take a break
During your next session, go back a stage to when your dog was comfortable and practise that step slowly and gradually before progressing again
If you're struggling to brush your dog's teeth or they show any signs of being worried, speak to your vet or seek support from a qualified behaviourist.
What should you use to brush your dog's teeth?
You can buy enzymatic dog toothpaste and a brush or rubber thimble from your vet/pet shop. Enzymatic toothpaste helps break down plaque and reduces bad breath. They also come in enticing flavours like chicken or liver.
Dog Teeth Cleaning VancouverNever use human toothpaste as it can be toxic for dogs.
Do you need to brush your dog's teeth?
It’s important to look after your dog's teeth. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems experienced by dogs and can result in significant pain from sore teeth and gums.
Daily teeth brushing can help prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar which can lead to gingivitis and dental disease.
Possible signs of dental problems
It can sometimes be difficult to recognise if a dog is in pain because of dental disease — they will often continue to eat which can mask the severity of the problem. But there are a few signs to look for that could indicate that your dog has dental problems.
red or swollen gums (gingivitis- A thin red line along the gum will indicate inflammation of the gums)
red or swollen gums (gingivitis- A thin red line along the gum will indicate inflammation of the gums)
discolouration of the teeth (plaque- this is a sticky, colourless film of sugars and bacteria that builds up on the teeth)
Plaque can then lead to (tartar- a hard calcified deposit that will build up and cause dental disease)
fractured or missing teeth.
Your vet will check your dog's teeth on a regular basis but if your dog shows any of these signs, seek veterinary advice. Many vet practices offer free dental clinics with their vet nurses or free nurse checks with pet care plans.
Illustration of how to teach a dog to rest their chin on your hand.
Illustration of owner giving dog treat, close up.
To get started, you'll need to teach your dog how to rest their chin on your hand.
Hold your open hand flat with your palm up in front of your dog’s snout slightly below chin level.
In your other hand, hold a treat in front of your dog just below their nose. As your dog reaches for the treat, slowly lower your hand holding the treat towards your open palm. As your dog places their chin across your open palm, mark that they got the behaviour right by saying 'yes' or 'good' and reward them.
