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The Truth About Getting Your Dog's Teeth Professionally Cleaned

It is hard not to run across a line of dog food or treats that advertises how well it prevents plaque buildup or eliminates tartar. In fact, dog owners are encouraged to feed their pets hard dog food in an effort to avoid a multitude of canine dental issues and diseases. You can brush your dog's teeth yourself daily, and you can bring your furry friend to the vet to have routine dental cleanings, but if anesthesia isn't involved, a thorough cleaning is not taking place.

Daily Canine Tooth Cleaning

If you own a pet, a veterinarian has likely urged you to physically use a dog toothbrush to get rid of some of the excess food, tartar, and bacteria out of your dog's mouth. While brushing your dog's teeth can be helpful in the long haul, it doesn't do enough to stave off gum disease. Using a dog dental spray in conjunction with brushing may do more to prevent or delay the development of canine gum disease, but a thorough cleaning of your dog's teeth would do much more.

Doggie Dental Exams

Your dog may have its tooth cleanings at the same time it has its yearly checkup. Other pet owners coordinate separate times to have to their pooch's dental cleaning performed, thinking that this will help to give their veterinarian plenty of time to do a great job. While this notion is completely logical, regular canine dental cleanings simply cannot cover all of the bases.

For the most part, dogs don't particularly enjoy it when people poke around inside their mouths. Then there's the risk that veterinarians would have to take by putting their hands inside the mouths of irritated pets who are growing more anxious by the minute. These are the main reasons that only quick and superficial canine dental cleanings can be performed without the assistance of general anesthesia.

Full Canine Dental Cleaning Under Anesthesia

It may seem extreme for anesthesia to be required in all thorough dog dental cleanings, but most animals are just not fond of sitting still for dental examinations. With your dog sedated, veterinarians have access to parts of your pet's mouth that would have been left untouched otherwise. By being able to reach the very back of your dog's mouth, around and under the gum line, and around all sides of each tooth, your veterinarian will clean your pet's teeth and effectively reduce the risk of gum disease.

For more information on dog dental cleanings, contact a veterinarian such as Brian E Hall.


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